Germany's far-right AfD celebrates record election results as CDU leader rejects coalition offer

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved its best-ever election results, securing 19.5 to 20 percent of the vote. Party leader Alice Weidel called it a "historic result" and offered to form a coalition with the leading CDU/CSU alliance. CDU leader Friedrich Merz, whose party received at least 28.5 percent of the vote, has ruled out an alliance with the AfD. He faced criticism for a recent motion passed with AfD support, breaking a long-standing political taboo. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left Social Democrats are projected to suffer significant losses, potentially their worst results since World War II. The election highlighted concerns over Germany's economy, immigration, and geopolitical issues.