Germany’s political leaders are making a final push to sway voters as Sunday’s election approaches, with the outcome poised to impact not only the nation but Europe as a whole.
Conservative frontrunner Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), told supporters that his leadership would restore Germany’s influence in Europe and marginalize the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Merz will close his campaign with a rally in Munich, while his rivals are set to make their final pitches during a televised voter Q&A session.
This election follows months of political deadlock after the collapse of the previous government. Across Europe, hopes are high that the vote will bring stability to the EU’s largest democracy and economy, which continues to grapple with recession. However, forming a governing coalition is expected to take weeks.
Key campaign issues have centered on economic recovery and migration, with the latter dominating headlines after a series of deadly attacks since May 2024 in cities like Mannheim, Solingen, Magdeburg, Aschaffenburg, and Munich. On Friday night, a Spanish tourist was stabbed near Berlin’s Holocaust memorial, though his injuries are not life-threatening.
The attackers in these incidents were reportedly immigrants, fueling support for the AfD, which polls at around 20% with its nationalist, anti-immigration platform. Party leader Alice Weidel has attracted younger voters via social media, boasting 870,000 followers on TikTok. Her campaign, backed by figures like billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, advocates for securing Germany’s borders and deporting illegal migrants involved in crime—a policy critics link to mass deportations.
Public opposition to the far-right has also been visible. On Friday, hundreds gathered in Solingen, where a Syrian man was accused of fatally stabbing three people last August. “We have friends whose parents didn’t grow up here. We don’t want anyone kicked out,” said Natalie, 35, while another protester, Jochen, held a sign reading, “Never Again is Now!”
A strong police presence monitored the protest amid rising security concerns. A police union spokesperson warned of potential attacks aimed at destabilizing democracy.
Mainstream parties, including the CDU, have ruled out forming a coalition with the AfD. However, if the AfD surpasses 20%, it could double its seats in Germany’s 630-seat parliament. Merz’s most likely coalition partner is the Social Democratic Party (SPD), though current Chancellor Olaf Scholz may not retain his role. As the SPD lags in third place, Scholz hopes undecided voters—estimated at one in five—could still swing the election.
Merz, addressing 1,200 supporters in Darmstadt, described a shifting global landscape, expressing doubt that the U.S. would celebrate NATO’s 70th anniversary with Germany. Criticizing the outgoing government’s lack of international leadership, he pledged, “If elected, I will dedicate significant time to keeping the European Union united.”
With the final votes approaching, Germany stands at a crossroads, and the election’s outcome will shape both national and European politics in the years ahead.
