Germany must avoid another 'traffic light' coalition

Going by exit polls, the Christian Democratic Union-Christian Social Union alliance led by Friedrich Merz has won the election in Germany, held on Sunday, securing around 28.5 percent of the votes, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party received 16.5 percent of the votes.

Notably, the far-right Alternative for Germany came second with 19.5 percent votes. Its leader Alice Weidel expressed her willingness to join the federal government. The AfD, which holds a tough stance on immigration and advocates for lower taxes, less bureaucracy, and an end to sanctions against Russia, has been on the rise.

According to German laws, when no single party is able to secure over half of the seats in the Bundestag, the rule allows for negotiations to form a coalition government.

Currently, it is highly likely that either a CDU/CSU+SPD or a CDU/CSU+Greens government will be formed.

However, Merz's public statement that he would revoke some of Scholz's policies if he became chancellor has complicated the first possibility, while significant disagreement with the Greens risks a repeat of Scholz's "traffic light" coalition, which was marked by endless disputes among the partner parties.

The elections also have significant international implications. Europe is facing geopolitical challenges, and changes in foreign policy under the new US administration have increased strategic uncertainty for Germany. Germany must reassess its role within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union, and the composition of the new government will determine the direction of development for Germany and Europe.

Both domestically and internationally, it is hoped Germany can form a stable government. However, that could require further coordination among Germany's political factions.