The leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, which came out on top after the parliamentary elections in Germany, Friedrich Merz, said that his main priority is to work for unity in Europe to counter interference from the United States and Russia, Reuters and DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
He told local media that he had no illusions about the challenges in relations with the United States.
„The interference from Washington is no less dramatic, drastic and ultimately outrageous than the interference we see from Moscow, he said, commenting on the support offered by billionaire Elon Musk for the German far right during the elections. "We are under so much pressure from both sides that my absolute priority now is to really create unity in Europe," he added.
At the same time, he said he would help Europe achieve "real independence from the United States." "I didn't think I would have to say it on air, but after Donald Trump's statements last week, it is clear that his administration is indifferent to the fate of Europe," added Merz, who has long been a supporter of the development of US-German relations.
He even questioned whether NATO would continue to be a relevant organization in its current format, "or whether we will have to develop independent European defense capabilities much faster." "That is my absolute priority." "I have absolutely no illusions about what is happening in America," he added.
Following the electoral success of the far-right "Alternative for Germany" (AfD), the party's co-chairwoman Alice Weidel has already turned her attention to the next federal elections, DPA reported.
She said during a program broadcast by the main public media with the participation of the main party leaders that the winning conservative bloc (CDU/CSU) cannot form a stable government with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the "Greens" that would last four years.
"In the coming years, we will overtake the conservatives", Weidel said, while announcing that the AfD faction "will support reasonable proposals from the conservatives if necessary". She said the conservative bloc, made up of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), could not implement its policies with left-wing parties, especially when it came to curbing illegal migration. She predicted that "all of this will fail spectacularly."
Conservative leader Friedrich Merz disagreed with Weidel's interpretation that a majority of voters wanted a coalition between his bloc and the AfD. He said he could not accept that, especially since he himself had clearly ruled out a coalition with the Alternative for Germany (AfD). before the elections.
He noted that there are significant differences between the CDU/CSU and the AfD, especially in foreign policy, security policy, as well as in relation to Europe, NATO and the euro.
„You can appeal to us as much as you want, but we will not pursue policies that are wrong for this country“, Merz addressed Weidel.
„You want the opposite of what we want, and therefore there will be no cooperation“, the politician emphasized.
According to Merz, the AfD is a destructive party that exists only because there are unresolved problems and dissatisfaction in Germany. He said that this political force has no interest in solving these problems.
According to the leader of the conservatives, the goal of the conservatives is to thwart the strategy of the far right by successfully solving problems. Once the problems are resolved, "this party will also disappear", he assured.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he would not accept an invitation for coalition talks with the conservative bloc Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU).
"I will not be a representative of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) in a federal government led by the CDU, nor will I negotiate" with the conservatives, Scholz said in a post-election discussion broadcast on German television.
Earlier today, he expressed dissatisfaction with his party's result in today's elections.
"This is a bitter result for the German Social Democratic Party. "This is a defeat," Scholz admitted.
The leader of the German liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) and former Finance Minister Christian Lindner said he would retire from politics if his movement fails to enter parliament, DPA reported.
The Federal Election Commission announced that the FDP received 4.3% of the vote, with a threshold of 5 to enter the Bundestag.
In the 2021 parliamentary elections, the FDP won 11.5% of the vote. However, the party's approval ratings have fallen sharply during its participation in the coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The governing coalition collapsed after Scholz fired Lindner in early November after months of bitter disagreements over economic policy and budget issues.
US President Donald Trump congratulated the conservative bloc of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) on their victory in the German elections, DPA reported.
"It looks like the conservative party in Germany has won the very important and long-awaited election", Trump wrote in capital letters on his social network "Truth Social".
"Like the people in the United States, the people in Germany are tired of the senseless programs, especially on energy and migration, that have prevailed for so many years", the president wrote.
"This is a great day for Germany, and also for the United States of America, led by a gentleman named Donald Trump", he added. "Congratulations to everyone, more victories to come!!!", he concluded.
Trump advisor Elon Musk announced his support for the far-right "Alternative for Germany", which finished second with 20.8 percent.