February 19, 2025, Berlin: Visitors go in front of the German flag in the Bundestag dome.
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As a new chapter in German politics, after the federal election at the weekend, there is a clear sense of déjà vu in Berlin As a central alliance, he is preparing to re -take the reins in Berlin.
Conservative alliance made by Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and her sister party Christian Social Union (CSU) won 28.6 % of votes in Sunday's vote, and then an extremely right -wing alternative for Germany (AfD) in second place with 20.8 % and middle Social democratic party (SPD) in third place with 16.4% of votes, in accordance with Preliminary results of the Federal Returning officer.
The results that will be confirmed on Monday mean that Friedrich Merz from CDU-CSU will probably be the next German Chancellor, taking over Scholz Olaf from SPD After his three -party coalition collapsed at the end of last year.
CDU-CSU is not foreign to power, leading many “great coalitions” in Germany over the past century. Now it is expected to create a new “old” coalition, with the leftist SPD's leftist's most likely alliance partner, although greenery has not been excluded from the Union partnership.
However, there are known challenges for the new German leadership, with a flagship economy and the need to increase national expenditure-most of which depends on German legislators who are able to reform the limiting principle of debt limiting debt Known as a “debt brake” – creating immediate and smoking.
Then there are difficult relations between Germany and the world, namely, with US President Donald Trump that threatens trade tariffs that will harm the German car industry even more.
German and American politicians, economists and business leaders have no doubt as to the obstacles facing the new government, but the prospect of the new administration has ignited the hopes that there would be a change in the fighting economy.
Here is a choice of immediate response to the German election result:
Probably the next chancellor Friedrich Merz:
“We won it because CDU and CSU worked well with each other and we prepared very well for these elections, as well as to take over responsibility,” said Merz on Sunday As the output survey appears, signaling the victory of the alliance.
During the press conference on Monday, Merz explained that he was striving for a coalition with SPD, stating that conversations could start immediately.
Defeated SPD leader Olaf Scholz:
“This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party. It is also an election defeat (I) I think that it should be said once clearly, from the very beginning, taking into account such a result, “said Scholz in the party headquarters on Sunday evening after the SPD paving in the vote.
“This time the election result is bad and therefore I also have responsibility for this election result,” he added.
Carsten Brzeski, global head of Macro, ING Research:
“It will be complicated” to create a new coalition, Brazessa said Annette Weisbach from CNBC in Berlin on Monday.
“We only have one option and this is another great coalition. The problem will be that SPD is extremely hurt – the worst result in history – so they will be like an existential crisis. “
“We will get some cyclical support, we will get tax reductions, we will probably also receive some investment programs. But the great elephant remains in the room, will we get changes in the debt brake? And I think that the current constellation of the next parliament will not be possible – he warned.
Chairman Siemens Energy Joe Kaeser:
Siemens Energy Chairman Joe Kaeser told CNBC that the new German government would face a “quite heavy battle” and needs a long -term German restructuring program over the next five years.
“This is a matter of restructuring, we must be honest in this matter,” said Julianna Tatelbaum from CNBC on Monday.
Kaeser said that “Program 2030” should have five key areas, focusing on the economy, infrastructure and energy, education and innovations, restructuring of the pension system, and finally “regaining government control and government reforms”.
“People in Germany are wondering if our country is safe? And they wonder if the government and the institution have everything under control. It was one of the main reasons why so many people looked towards this AfD, because they wonder if our government, our state, our country, still has control. “
Arnd Franz, CEO of Mahle car parts manufacturer:
“From our perspective, it's time to act, and after yesterday's election we wish the new German government will quickly form together, and then take a decisive, immediate action, as well as a long, bright, long, long -term vision and road map to do it really restoring Europe's economy back on the right track, “said Carolin Roth from CNBC on Monday.
“I think that the German production sector requires urgent tax activities in terms of energy costs, as well as in the scope of the flexibility of the labor market. There are three large, large things that are important to everyone in the production sector. For The Production. The automotive industry, of course, regulation is the most important problem. “
US President Donald Trump:
“It seems that the conservative party in Germany won a very large and very awaited election. Like the US, the inhabitants of Germany got tired of the No Common Sense program, especially in the field of energy and immigration, which prevailed for so many years, “President Trump published on his Truth Social Social Social Platform on Sunday evening.
“It's a great day for Germany” Added.
John Emerson, former US ambassador to Germany:
“I think this is very good news for Germany. Actually, I am quite close to Friedrich Merz, “Emerson, a former US ambassador to Germany, said CNBC on Monday, responding to the comments of Friedrich Merz on Sunday evening that” Absolute priority “to” strengthen “Europe as soon as possible, as possible so that we can achieve true independence from the US step by step. “
“I think he seriously approaches where he said (on Sunday evening), as a result, announcing independence from the United States and, I think (US vice president) JD Vance and Donald Trump cannot complain,” Emerson said, said CNBC's CNBC's Steve Sedgwick.
“Merz is a free trade guy … So when I hear him talking about independence, I hear about the fact that” we must reach a point where we can afford it ourselves, that we Europe can defend ourselves and do more in terms of expenses and building military abilities “. I hear that this is a matter of national security than an economic issue.
Alicia Garcia Herrero, economist at Think-Tank Bruegel:
“What happens to the USA, in terms of tariff or commercial, is extremely important for Germany, according to Herrero, a senior member of Think Tank Bruegel. “I think Europe is waking up, and Merz is the best example of this,” CNBC said on Monday.
“They (European leaders) realize that they have to get closer. And this is a silver lining that can strengthen Europe, which can strengthen Germany, which could force Germany to really think about the military at EU level at EU level, which, however, meant that Germany would have to leave the debt break. “
LARS FELD, WALTER EUCKEN Institute Director:
Feld, also a former adviser to the former German federal finance minister Christian Lindner, commented on the likelihood of a new special defense fund after the current expiry.
“I think it is very difficult to interpret only because the AFD and the left party together have a minority blocking in the Bundestag, so it will not be easy to change the constitution. This means that if the new government wants to have a special defense fund, it will definitely not happen – he said.
“The current special fund ends in 2028, and then additional financing is needed, and in particular if there is a need for a quick armament of the German German Bundag, this cannot be easily solved in the current special fund, which means that it means that it means, That this means that this means that this means that it means that it means. It largely depends on the proposal of the new government, how to reform the debt break and whether one or the other member of the left side supports it. These members in parliament. “
Beatrix von Storch, deputy leader of AFD:
“This is a historic result. We doubled our numbers. We are now the only opposition party that does not come from the left, so we push the new government further and further, “said Storch in an interview with CNBC.
Christian Democrats (CDU) conducted a campaign on illegal migration and conducted a campaign on a change in politics when it comes to economy and energy, and they will not be able to change this policy, because they are now in a coalition with the party of the former chancellor, SPD, Social Democrats and the party Scholza Olaf – she said.
“So everything they promised cannot deliver, and we will make it very clear, of course we will support every move and every law that is complex when it comes to stopping illegal migration, but in no case will be sufficient.”