Exit polls from the European election in Germany showed disappointing results for the government’s “traffic light” coalition, with predictions of a significant rise in support for centrist and right-wing political opposition parties. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) are expected to finish in first place with 29.5% of the vote, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD party is predicted to only gain 14% of the vote, down from 15.9% in 2019. The Greens are also projected to see a drop in support, from 20.5% in 2019 to just 12%. The FDP is estimated to receive just 5% of the vote. Despite these numbers, the far-right AfD party is expected to make gains, increasing their share of the vote to over 16%, compared to 11% in 2019.
The AfD’s rise in support comes despite facing multiple scandals leading up to the elections, including espionage allegations involving Russia and China, plans to deport naturalized German citizens, and Nazi-era rhetoric used by party leaders during their campaign. The party was even expelled from the European Parliament’s Identity and Democracy (ID) group in May. Despite these controversies, voters seem undeterred from supporting the far-right party. Additionally, a new party called the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is projected to receive 6% of the vote in the exit polls. Founded just this January by former Die Linke politician Sahra Wagenknecht, the BSW combines a conservative-left economic policy with a tough stance on migration and opposition to sending weapons to Ukraine. Analysts had originally expected the BSW to draw votes away from the AfD, but it seems to have gained support on its own.
Germany, as the largest member state in the European Union, holds 96 seats in the European Parliament. The early projections of the European election results in Germany suggest a weakening of support for the current governing coalition and a growing popularity for opposition parties. The CDU and CSU are set to dominate the election with 29.5% of the vote, while the SPD, the Greens, and the FDP are all expected to see declines in support. Despite facing scandals and controversies, the far-right AfD party is anticipated to increase its share of the vote, indicating a shift in the political landscape of Germany.
The poor performance of the government’s “traffic light” coalition reflects a growing dissatisfaction among voters with the current leadership. The CDU and CSU’s dominance in the early projections underscores a resurgence in conservative and right-wing sentiments in the country. The rise in support for the AfD, despite scandals, suggests a persistence of far-right ideologies among segments of the German population. The emergence of the BSW as a new party further complicates the political landscape, offering an alternative to both mainstream and far-right politics. The shifting dynamics in Germany’s European election results indicate a complex and evolving political environment in the country.
Overall, the European election results in Germany paint a picture of a political landscape in flux. While the CDU and CSU maintain their stronghold as the largest opposition party, the decline in support for the governing coalition signals a potential need for change in leadership. The rise of the AfD, despite facing scandals, illustrates persistent far-right sentiments in the country. The emergence of the BSW as a new party adds another layer of complexity to the political scene, offering a different perspective on economic and migration policies. As Germany’s role in the European Parliament evolves, these election results provide insight into the shifting priorities and ideologies of the German electorate.
