The European Union election results were a wake-up call for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as the far-right party AfD made significant gains despite facing numerous scandals. The AfD secured an impressive 15.9% of the vote in the preliminary results, surpassing Scholz’s SPD and its coalition partners – the Greens and the FDP, who saw a decline in their support compared to the previous election.
The SPD’s support plummeted to only 13.9% in the latest election, reflecting a clear loss of confidence from the voters since 2019. The Green party also experienced a sharp decline from 20.5% to 11.9%, while the FDP managed to sustain its support with 5.2% of the votes. Conversely, the CDU emerged as the strongest party with 23.7% of the support, highlighting the incremental gains made by the opposition party.
The success of the AfD in the EU elections has come as a surprise to many, especially considering the controversies surrounding the party in recent weeks and months. Being expelled from the right-wing Identity and Democracy alliance in the EU parliament due to controversial statements about the German Nazi regime and allegations of espionage, bribery, and money laundering, the AfD has been under intense scrutiny. Despite these issues, the party managed to secure a significant portion of the vote, further shaking Scholz’s government.
Marcel Fratzscher, the president of the German Institute for Economic Research, highlighted the weakness of the ruling coalition following the election results. The ongoing challenges faced by the government, from economic struggles to budgetary concerns and the rise of the far right, have destabilized the coalition. This instability poses a significant threat to Scholz’s leadership and raises doubts about the future of the government.
As pressure mounts on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to address the challenges posed by the AfD’s success, experts remain divided on the next steps for the government. While some believe that Scholz may need to consider calling for a snap election, others argue that early elections would not benefit any of the parties in the coalition. Despite likely setbacks in regional elections in September, the coalition is expected to persevere, albeit with growing tension and uncertainty surrounding its future.
The rise of the AfD and the challenges faced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscore the turbulent political landscape in Germany. As the far-right party continues to gain momentum, the ruling coalition must navigate through internal conflicts and external pressures to maintain stability and address the concerns of the electorate. The upcoming months will prove crucial for the future of German politics and the leadership of Chancellor Scholz.