The grandiose rise of the far-right in the parliamentary elections in Germany is a final warning to moderate parties that they must find common solutions, said today the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz, quoted by Agence France-Presse, writes BTA.
"Alternative for Germany" doubled its result in percentage terms and became even stronger in absolute numbers, growing from 4.8 million votes to 10.3 million votes, Merz stressed, calling on outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats to join the coalition to form the next government.
Solving Germany's problems together will gradually deprive this party of its foundations, added Merz, who promised to tighten migration policy.
Jens Spahn, a senior member of the CDU, expressed concern that the AfD is in a position to become the leading party in Germany.
"We are one election away from experiencing the situation in France, the Netherlands or Austria," Jens Spahn said.
The AfD came in second place in the election with 20.8% of the vote, double its result in 2021 d.
"Alternative for Germany" is in the best possible position to overtake the conservative party in the next four years and thus become the leading party at the national level, AfD leader Alice Weidel said today.
After announcing that he would not form a coalition with the AfD, Friedrich Merz has no choice but to reach out to the Social Democrats, who won around 16% of the vote in yesterday's vote. Germany's oldest party thus suffered its worst result in 80 years.
Regarding dialogue with the United States, Friedrich Merz said he hoped to convince the Americans that it was in their mutual interest to have good transatlantic relations.
Merz welcomed the interest shown by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in improving ties with Europe, adding that the two had spoken several times in recent weeks.
“I strongly welcome the fact that Britain is once again seeking closeness to Europe, to the European Union,“ said Merz, whose conservative bloc won yesterday's election with almost 29% of the vote.