German election:

Merz: “It will be good” ++ Hoeneß speaks plainly about the AfD

(Bild: AFP)

The CDU/CSU clearly won the German federal election on Sunday, but did not achieve the 30 percent they had hoped for. The SPD with former Chancellor Olaf Scholz plummeted to third place, while the AfD made strong gains and took second place. Election winner Friedrich Merz now wants to boost the economy and make Europe strong again.

GRAPHIC - how Germany voted:

The most important facts in brief:

• CDU leader Friedrich Merz spoke of a "historic election night". To the cheers of his supporters, he said it was now "Rambo-Zambo".

• AfD candidate for chancellor Alice Weidel spoke of a "historic success". Her party is open to negotiations with the CDU.

• Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) spoke of a "bitter election result". However, he ruled out an immediate resignation. 

• US President Donald Trump was delighted with the outcome and spoke of a "great day for Germany".

• The first political consequences have been felt by the FDP: party leader Lindner is withdrawing from active politics following the election defeat.

Ticker to read up on:

 

Shortly before 6 p.m., everyone in the Konrad Adenauer House, the CDU party headquarters in Berlin, which was filled to capacity, held their breath. Lungs filled for the great cry of joy - which then turned out to be rather restrained. After all, the CDU/CSU party just failed to make the leap over 30 percent in the Bundestag elections. This hurdle was set as a target by the party leadership in order to form a stable government.

Markus Söder and Friedrich Merz

(Bild: EPA)

"People want a change in policy"
A party official from Saarland even used the word "defeat" in an interview with the "Krone" newspaper. However, the positive aspects were immediately emphasized. "The people want a change of policy" was the basic tenor in the Adenauer House. They had been given the mandate to govern. And this victory was enjoyed afterwards over chili - with meat or vegan options - pretzels and beer.

Calls for a new start in the SPD
There were long faces at the SPD party headquarters in the Willy Brandt House. Before 6 p.m., the party was still practising optimism. They were not just going to celebrate the Chancellor's wife's birthday today. This was quickly followed by disillusionment. With 16.5 percent, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's party achieved the worst election result in its history. Blame was quickly apportioned - and calls were made for Boris Pistorius to take over the party chairmanship.

Olaf Scholz

(Bild: AFP)

AfD: "Our hand is outstretched"
Meanwhile, only 100 invited guests gathered at the AfD party headquarters to celebrate a doubling of their votes to almost 20 percent. Party leader Alice Weidel said afterwards: "Our hand is outstretched to implement the will of the people. The CDU just has to take it." However, Friedrich Merz has ruled out a coalition with the AfD.

Alice Weidel

(Bild: AFP)

No phone call with Putin, skepticism towards Trump
Europe was certainly looking forward to the elections in Germany. And is now pinning its hopes on the election winner Friedrich Merz, who is a fervent advocate of the European idea. He now wants to boost the economy and strengthen Europe.

He only wants to talk to Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin "from a position of strength". He is skeptical about Donald Trump. As German Chancellor, it is "not his job to make the US President happy". He has recognized this: There is no point in Europe playing small geopolitically. Merz took to the stage shortly after 6.30 p.m. to thunderous applause. And immediately set the tone. It was time to "talk to each other" in order to form a government quickly: "The world must once again perceive that Germany is governed reliably. That's what I personally stand for."

Striking: the high voter turnout of over 84%. The highest since 1990.