CDU’s Friedrich Merz is ahead, but Olaf Scholz isn’t out yet. With the far-right gaining ground and no clear majority, the outcome could shake up Europe.
Here’s what’s at stake. ⬇️
#GermanyVotes
Here’s what’s at stake. ⬇️
#GermanyVotes
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NewsTranscript
00:00Germany is heading to an early election, the government collapsed after months of
00:04deadlock and now voters will decide who takes charge and how to tackle mounting
00:09economic and political challenges. The front-runner is Friedrich Merz from the
00:13centre-right CDU. A former asset manager he's pushing for tax cuts, stricter
00:19immigration laws and stronger military aid to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is
00:24running again despite record low approval ratings. His SPD is promising
00:29higher wages, tax cuts for low earners and a 100 billion euros infrastructure
00:33plan. The Greens want a billionaire tax to fund the energy transition while the
00:38pro-business FDP is focused on keeping Germany's strict debt limits. Meanwhile
00:42the far-right AFD, classified as an extremist organization by Germany's
00:47domestic intelligence agency, is polling just behind the CDU, closer to power than
00:53ever. But with no clear majority in sight governance could prove extremely
00:58difficult. Germany is Europe's largest economy but growth has stalled amid
01:03high energy costs and weak exports. With global trade tensions heightening will
01:09the next government loosen spending limits or double down on austerity? This
01:14election will have consequences across Europe. Germany is the EU's economic
01:19engine and its biggest budget contributor. The next government will
01:24influence EU strategy on everything from military support for Ukraine to
01:28handling a potential trade war with the US. With Europe already facing sluggish
01:33growth and geopolitical instability much depends on Germany's choice.