Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU alliance led by Friedrich Merz won the election on Sunday with 28.6% of the vote.
Germany (AFD)’s far-right alternative followed second at 20.8%, nearly doubled its results in the final elections of 2021, based on the first figures of public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.
The surge in anti-immigrant AFD was driven by public fears about immigration and security, mid-way through a deadly attack that was denounced for concern about the economy of immigration and illness.
Despite strong results, the AFD is currently set to hold back power for now as its possible coalition partners refuse to cooperate with the far right.
Prime Minister Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) recorded the worst outcome in Germany’s postwar democratic history, earning 16.4%.
The Greens have secured 11.6% of the votes.
The left and right Linke cleared the hurdle of 5% and entered Congress with 8.8%.
The Pro-Business Free Democrats (FDP), which had been in the government until recently, won 4.3%. Left party, newcomer BSW won 4.9%.
Others earned 4.5%.