Germany’s parliament is back in session, but this time with a political landscape that feels like uncharted territory. The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has surged to become the main opposition force, doubling its seats and shaking up the Bundestag’s balance of power.
A Parliament Reshaped
The Bundestag’s new lineup looks drastically different from before. Of the 630 seats, a striking 230 are filled by newly elected MPs. The AfD’s meteoric rise now gives it 152 seats — a sharp jump from its previous standing. This puts the party in a powerful position to challenge the incoming government, led by conservative chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
For Germany, this is a pivotal moment. The AfD’s ascent marks a major shift in postwar politics, bringing far-right rhetoric into the heart of legislative debate. Meanwhile, the CDU and its potential coalition partners are navigating thorny issues like taxes, migration, and military policy.
New Faces, Old Divides
The Bundestag is younger and leaner than before. The youngest MP, 23-year-old Luke Hoss from the left-wing Die Linke party, has pledged to donate most of his hefty parliamentary salary. On the other end of the spectrum, 84-year-old Alexander Gauland from the AfD remains a divisive figure. Known for his inflammatory comments — including describing the Nazi era as “just birdshit” in German history — his presence underscores the party’s provocative stance.
The parliament itself has slimmed down by around 100 members, a result of electoral reforms aimed at curbing its growing size. This move could streamline legislative work, but the ideological divides are wider than ever.
Gender Imbalance Still Stands
While Germany has made strides in representation, the Bundestag still reflects deep gender disparities. Women make up less than a third of MPs overall — a slight drop from the previous parliament.
- The Greens lead the way on gender balance, with an impressive 61.2% of their MPs being women.
- The AfD lags far behind, with women comprising just 11.8% of its parliamentary group.
- The CDU also falls short, with female MPs accounting for only 22.6%.
These numbers highlight an ongoing struggle for gender equality in German politics, even as public pressure for more diverse leadership continues to grow.
Merz Races to Build a Government
With Easter looming, Friedrich Merz faces a ticking clock to assemble a workable coalition. His conservative CDU leads the charge, but forming alliances won’t be easy. Disagreements over fiscal policies and migration controls remain hot-button issues.
Merz’s team hopes to find common ground with the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the environmentally focused Greens. Both potential partners bring contrasting priorities — economic reform for the FDP and climate action for the Greens — making negotiations a delicate balancing act.
The AfD, meanwhile, is positioning itself as the voice of discontent. Their leaders claim to speak for “ordinary Germans” left behind by mainstream politics, a message that resonates with their growing base. Whether this momentum translates into long-term influence remains to be seen.
