Germany's conservatives beat far right into second in elections
Germany woke Monday after an election in which the center-right conservatives won the most votes but far-right nationalists surged to huge gains causing dismay.
BERLIN — Germany woke Monday to the aftermath of a bruising election in which the center-right conservatives won the most votes and far-right nationalists surged to huge gains, causing dismay in a country deeply wary of its Nazi past.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is under surveillance by German intelligence over suspected far-right extremism, experienced its largest-ever share of the vote, garnering the support of Elon Musk and others in the Trump administration.
The White House’s alleged interference in the run-up to the vote sparked unusually fierce criticism from Friedrich Merz, the leader of the victorious Christian Democratic Union, who will lead coalition talks to form Germany's next government.
Merz told supporters at a party event in Berlin on Sunday night: “I have no illusions at all about what is happening from America. Take a look at the recent interventions in the German election campaign by Mr. Elon Musk.”
German conservative candidate and Christian Democratic Union party leader Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Sunday.Fabrizio Bensch / ReutersIf Merz, who said Monday that he plans to quickly form Germany's next government, does become the next chancellor, then his in tray will be bursting.
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