German voters turn out in record numbers as election results show CDU in lead

Voter turnout in Germany's early federal election on February 23 reached a record 83.5%, the highest since 1990. This election followed the collapse of the previous coalition government of the Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democratic Party. The conservative Christian Democratic Union, led by Friedrich Merz, received the most votes, followed by the right-wing Alternative for Germany. The Social Democrats, led by Olaf Scholz, experienced significant losses. The CDU/CSU won the largest share but did not secure an absolute majority. They will need to form a coalition with another party to reach the 316 seats required to govern in the Bundestag.