A country divided: Five key takeaways from the German election
Briefly

Merz’s conservative alliance recorded one of its lowest electoral results, garnering just 29% of the vote, while the AfD trailed at 21%. Despite a potential coalition with the SPD, Merz lacks the public backing of previous leaders, with only 43% viewing him as chancellor material. His sharp rhetoric and alliance with the far-right AfD on immigration policy have drawn criticism, contributing to concerns about his electability. The electoral map depicts a divided Germany, with a noticeable AfD presence in eastern states, raising alarms among domestic security agencies.
Merz's conservative alliance received only 29% support in the latest election, representing the second poorest performance since World War II, highlighting challenges in Germany's political landscape.
Critics argue that Merz's controversial strategies, particularly his alignment with the AfD on immigration, have hurt his public perception, making it difficult to gain voter trust.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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