New elections in Germany

German government talks have begun: “Governing with you is a real no-go”

It has only been hours since the polling stations closed – and government talks in Germany have already begun to begin.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz says on live German television that he would prefer to have just one more party in his coalition, not two. Both the Social Democrats and the Greens are extending their hand.

“We are ready to take responsibility,” says Green party leader Robert Habeck, who believes that it is urgent to get a new government in place.

The invitation was met with icy coldness from the Christian Democrats.

“Governing with the Greens is, in my opinion, a real “no-go”, if it is at all possible,” says Markus Söder, party leader of the CDU's sister party, the CSU.

The far-right AfD party, which became the second largest party, believes that Germany has voted for change. Party leader Alice Weidel believes that Germans “really want a coalition between the CDU and the AfD,” but notes that Friedrich Merz has ruled this out.

– We have to accept this for the time being.

Kenya coalition, black-red or German government – ​​here are Merz’s different options

Germany’s next chancellor is Friedrich Merz – that’s almost certain. But the big question is which parties will be part of the CDU leader’s government.

“It all depends on the FDP,” writes the German Focus.

The FDP is the liberal party that, according to polling stations, is just below the five percent threshold. If the party does make it into the Bundestag, there are two main options:

• A “Kenya coalition,” consisting of the Christian Democratic CDU (black), the Social Democratic SPD (red) and the environmental party The Greens.

• A “German coalition” with the CDU, SPD and liberal FDP (yellow)

In an analysis in Der Tagesspiegel, Christian Tretbar writes that a German coalition is “the only realistic” solution if the FDP survives. That the CDU would choose to cooperate with the Greens as long as there are other alternatives is “more than unlikely”.

If the FDP leaves, however, the chances of a “black-red” coalition between the Christian Democratic CDU and the Social Democratic SPD increase.

The CDU has ruled out cooperation with the far-right AfD, which looks set to get around 20 percent.

Votes on the German new election 

Election winner sees Trump and Musk on TV: “As big an electoral influence as Moscow”

The election winner in Germany, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, criticizes Donald Trump’s government in harsh terms. The outcome will be revealed in a panel discussion on the ARD television channel on Sunday evening, writes Deutsche Welle.

– I never thought I would have to say something like that on TV, but after Donald Trump's latest statements last week, it is clear that the Americans – at least these Americans, this administration – do not care about the fate of Europe at all.

He also criticizes Elon Musk for having "meddled" in the German election with his stated support for the far-right AfD party. He describes it as "shameful".

– The election influence from Washington was no less dramatic and rude than the election influence we have seen from Moscow, so we are under massive pressure from two sides.

Now the top priority is to strengthen Europe "so that we gradually become independent of the United States".

Donald Trump: "A good day for Germany"

Donald Trump has commented on the election results in Germany. In a post on Truth Social, he expresses himself positively about the CDU's victory.

He also makes a comparison between Germany and the United States and writes that the Germans, like the Americans, are “tired of the nonsense agenda, especially regarding energy and migration”.

He writes that it is a good day for Germany:

“And for the United States under the leadership of a gentleman called Donald J Trump. Congratulations to everyone”, the post continues.

The Christian Democrats CDU with party leader Friedrich Merz became the largest party in Germany, according to the first exit polls. The right-wing populist AfD was the second largest party.