German Election: snap reaction

25 Sep 2017 11:27 AM

While Merkel wins as predicted, the country’s political balance has shifted away from the centre, and she is left diminished. Open Europe’s Leopold Traugott explains the results of Germany’s federal elections and their consequences.

All three main predictions made prior to the German federal elections came true. Angela Merkel’s CDU is again strongest party; the SPD suffered strong losses (in fact reaching its lowest point in history); and the AfD entered the parliament (as the third strongest party). In addition, a number of important trends are visible that show a Germany drifting apart and a chancellor losing support.

Full article on Open Europe’s website