German elections

Merz says Germany needs reform, defends democratic order after historic election defeat against AfD

"That is what we need to deliver on now; it is what I want to deliver on, and that is the stance I am taking into talks with our coalition partner," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

|ByREUTERS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026
Top candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Ulrich Siegmund, and party co leader Tino Chrupalla react from the stage at the AfD election party, after exit polls in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections, in Magdeburg, Germany, September 6, 2026.

European leaders voice concern as Germany's far-right AfD wins key state election

"It seems they're just a few votes short of an absolute majority, but this is indeed a very worrying sign," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told Radio Vox FM.

|ByREUTERS
Lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party, makes a selfie with a supporter during the final campaign rally on the eve of state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on September 5, 2026 in Magdeburg, Germany.

How will an AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt impact Germany - and should Jews be worried?

German voters in Saxony-Anhalt could give the right-wing extremist political party, the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, its most significant achievement since its founding in 2013.

|ByTOBY AXELROD/JTA
Top candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Ulrich Siegmund, stands at the polling station after voting in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, in Tangermuende, Germany, September 6, 2026.

Germany’s far-right AfD wins historic 44% in Saxony-Anhalt election, exit polls show

While short of an overall majority, the AfD won 44% of the vote and delivered a drubbing to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives, reflecting the deep unpopularity of Germany's ruling coalition.

|ByREUTERS

Mayor in western Germany in critical condition after stabbing, says source

Iris Stalzer, a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, is in critical condition following the attack.

OCTOBER 7, 2025ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A police officer works at the scene after Herdecke's newly elected Mayor Iris Stalzer was found seriously injured in a stabbing incident, in Herdecke, Germany, October 7, 2025

Friedrich Merz: The German leader trying to bury Angela Merkel’s legacy - analysis

Friedrich Merz broke a political taboo by aligning with the AfD on immigration, winning a symbolic vote but facing backlash and a major legislative defeat.

FEBRUARY 2, 2025ByELDAD BECK
German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz speaks during a session of the lower house of parliament Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, October 10, 2024.

Jewish leaders concerned after Germany's AfD party continues to make gains in elections

The results brought the party closer than ever to power-sharing in both states.

OCTOBER 10, 2023ByTOBY AXELROD/JTA
ROBERT SESSELMANN of the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a vote last Sunday to become a district leader, a breakthrough for the party which has hit record highs in national polls.

Olaf Scholz is elected new chancellor of Germany

Now it's official. Olaf Scholz will steer Germany's fortunes for the next four years.

DECEMBER 8, 2021ByMARVIN ZIEGELE/SPECIAL TO THE JERUSALEM POST
Designated German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a session of the Bundestag, the German lower house of Parliament, in Berlin.

Olaf Scholz to be elected as new chancellor of Germany

Germany is getting a new chancellor. Olaf Scholz is to take the political helm from now on.

DECEMBER 7, 2021ByMARVIN ZIEGELE/SPECIAL TO THE JERUSALEM POST
Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a hybrid party conference for the approval of the traffic light coalition agreement at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, December 4, 2021

German elections have some Jewish officials in the country worried

Under Merkel Israel enjoyed good relations with the German government, but the advent of a new political era has some Jewish officials in the country unnerved.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021ByJEREMY SHARON
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks with a rabbi following a ceremony to complete the historic Sulzbach Torah Scroll from 1792, rediscovered in 2013 and just restored, on the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi Germany's Auschwitz death camp, on International Holocaust Remembrance

What are Jews voting for in Germany’s elections?

Jews make up less than 1% of Germany’s population of 83 million; for many, Jewish issues pale in comparison to some that the entire country is wrestling with, such as climate change and inequality.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021ByJOE BAUR/JTA
A man carries a wooden Star of David as people attend a demonstration themed with the slogan "#unteilbar" (indivisible) to protest against antisemitism, racism and nationalism in Berlin, Germany, October 13, 2019.

German parties reach coalition deal in principle

A negotiating source said the SPD would get the foreign, finance and labor ministries under the deal.

FEBRUARY 7, 2018ByREUTERS
German Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union CDU Angela Merkel votes in the general election (Bundestagswahl) in Berlin, Germany, September 24, 2017.

Merkel fourth term in doubt as German coalition talks fail

Failure to form a government in Europe's largest economy could have implications for everything from euro zone reforms to relations with post-Brexit Britain.

NOVEMBER 20, 2017ByREUTERS
German Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union CDU Angela Merkel votes in the general election (Bundestagswahl) in Berlin, Germany, September 24, 2017.

September 28th, 2017: German elections and more

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017ByLETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters