Germany: Outgoing Merkel’s party loses elections

Social Democrats of the center-left have defeated the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) in the federal elections.

SPD leader Olaf Scholz has claimed to have obtained a clear mandate to form a government.

However, his Conservative rival Armin Laschet is adamant to carry on fighting.

The SPD and CDU have governed together for years but that seems to be ending now as the liberals and the Greens want a role in the new coalition.

This has been the CDU’s worst ever performance and has brought an end to the combined post-war rule of the CDU and SPD.

The election was closely contested and was pushed by issues like climate change.

It saw the participation of a large majority of young-adults under 30s to turn the results.

Angela Merkel is set to remain Chancellor until the new coalition is formed.

The Social Democrats have claimed to have the most seats but less to form government.

It will be interesting to see how much stake the coalition parties get to have in the new government.

Germany is Europe’s biggest economy and has the power to reshape Europe.

Whatever steps the new leader takes will set the path of the European economy.

German voters have showed concern for climate change and with the center-left in power, we might get to see major overhauls.

The CDU has hit back saying the SPD doesn’t have a majority and it will be all about a coalition.

It will be months and months of negotiations before either side gets to form a majority. How the Greens and liberals utilize those negotiations will indicate where Germany and Europe are heading.

The fate of the Social Democrats is in the hands of the kingmakers now. Whoever they side with will get the government.