German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is currently facing mounting pressure following the significant gains made by the far-right AfD in the European Union election. Despite a series of scandals, the AfD managed to secure 15.9% of the votes according to preliminary results. This surpasses the support garnered by Scholz’s own SPD (social democrats) and their coalition partners, the Greens and the FDP.
The recent election results have highlighted a collapse in support for the governing parties. The SPD, which had previously won 13.9% of the votes in 2019, suffered a further decline. The Green party’s support also saw a sharp decrease from 20.5% in 2019 to just 11.9% in 2024. While the FDP experienced a minor decline, securing only 5.2% of the votes in the latest poll. On the other hand, Germany’s opposition party, the CDU (Christian democrats), emerged as the strongest party with 23.7% of support.
The election results represent another challenge for Chancellor Scholz’s government, which has been grappling with a series of crises including economic struggles, budget issues, and concerns about the rising popularity of the far-right. The AfD’s success in the polls has come despite internal tensions within the party and recent controversies.
The AfD has been embroiled in several scandals and controversies in the lead-up to the EU election. This includes being expelled from the right-wing Identity and Democracy alliance in the EU parliament after controversial statements made by the party’s lead candidate, Maximilian Krah. Additionally, allegations of espionage, bribery, and money laundering linked to Russia have plagued key members of the AfD, further tarnishing its reputation.
Leading economic experts have weighed in on the implications of the election results. Marcel Fratzscher, the president of the German Institute for Economic Research, highlighted the weakened state of the ruling coalition and the destabilizing impact of the far-right’s success. However, it is unlikely that Chancellor Scholz will opt for a snap election in response to the AfD’s gains. Holger Schmieding, the chief economist at Berenberg, predicts that the current coalition will continue despite potential setbacks in regional elections later in the year.
The recent EU election results in Germany have put Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a precarious position. The rise of the far-right AfD, coupled with internal and external challenges, has further strained the stability of the ruling coalition. As Scholz navigates these turbulent waters, the future of German politics remains uncertain.
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