Part 5/7:
As voters headed to the polls on February 23, 2023, key factors emerged for analysis. Notable among these was the expected performance of the CDU, now led by Friedrich Merz, who aimed to reclaim the political landscape from the ruling coalition. Polls indicated a potential for the CDU to secure around 30% of the votes, a crucial factor in determining whether Germany would return to a more traditional two-party coalition or face continued instability with smaller parties influencing the Bundestag.
The rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party gaining traction since the 2015 refugee crisis, also loomed large over the elections. Their anticipated support of around 20% would reflect ongoing populist sentiments and could influence coalition negotiations moving forward.