Elections will weaken unity of German government

Significance

The latter’s performance was a clear indicator of its ability to expand its appeal beyond eastern states. The Social Democrats (SPD), Free Democrats (FDP) and Greens all suffered losses amid disillusionment with the federal government and its handling of key issues, especially immigration.

Impacts

• The CDU/CSU and FDP will press to reduce the influence of the Greens in the federal government from hereon.
• The growing appeal of the AfD and FW will likely push the CDU/CSU further to the right on climate policy.
• The persistence of economic and migration pressures would threaten to undermine Germans’ support for Ukraine.
• FW and AfD's rise, coupled with the possible emergence of a new far-left party, highlights the growing fragmentation of German politics.