New Leader has been Elected in Germany Friedrich Merz's (pic. left) Conservative Christian Democratic Union. Friedrich Merz said, "Let's celebrate tonight and in the morning, we'll get to work." He is to trying to form a government with the third-placed Social Democrats of Olaf Scholz. According to BBC, the other winner in the Feb. 23rd vote was the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), who reached a record second-place result of 20.8%.
Merz, age 69, has never held a ministerial job, but he has promised if he becomes the next German chancellor to show leadership in Europe and increase support for Ukraine. Friedrich Merz's first priority will be to try to form a coalition made up of his Christian Democrats (and their Bavarian related party, the CSU) and Scholz's centre left, despite the Social Democrats' 16.4%. Merz is hopes to form a government by Easter. Between the two parties, they have 328 seats, a majority of 12 in the 630-seat parliament.
(Source: BBC)
German Bishops' Conference Statement
Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing, Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, looks at the current result of the federal election and emphasizes the importance of a strong democracy and a united Europe:
"The sharp increase in voter turnout is a good sign for our country that democracy is being taken seriously. The majority of voters want a strengthening of the democratic center, which is reflected in the election results. I hope that we will now quickly get a stable government that will tackle the problems.
The election campaign is over, now we must act. The democratic forces must work together for the good of the citizens: that means listening, understanding each other, striving constructively for fair solutions and being prepared to compromise. Germany must be part of a democratic Europe, as a country with a rule of law, freedom, cosmopolitanism and solidarity.
Extremist forces and those who sympathize with Putin's Russia despite the attack on Ukraine, which violates international law, must not set the tone. Especially in view of the international situation, I very much hope that Europe will be strengthened by this election and the new government."
Comments