Germany's conservatives win elections as Friedrich Merz replaces Olaf Scholz

Germany's conservative party, led by Friedrich Merz, won the recent elections, securing at least 28.5 percent of the vote. This marks a significant shift as the center-left Social Democrats, led by Olaf Scholz, fell to around 16 percent. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) also made notable gains, increasing its vote share to at least 19.5 percent. This rise is attributed to public concerns over immigration and security following recent violent incidents. Merz now faces the task of forming a coalition government, likely needing support from smaller parties like the Greens and Free Democrats. The final composition of the Bundestag will depend on the results of these smaller parties, which are close to the five-percent threshold for representation.