Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a €1.6 billion ($1.9 billion) package aimed at easing fuel prices for consumers and businesses, responding to rising energy costs linked to global supply disruptions.

Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, was on track to win a regional election in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, ahead of coalition partner Social Democratic Party (SPD), which faced a major defeat after more than three decades in power, according to early projections.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday pledged to keep the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) out of power, warning that Germany is entering a new era shaped by intensified global competition and security challenges.

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has failed in his bid to become the country’s 10th chancellor, falling short by six votes in the first round of voting in parliament.

In a widely anticipated outcome, Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, secured victory in the early Bundestag elections. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved an unprecedented second-place finish, while the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Chancellor Olaf Scholz suffered a historic defeat, coming in third with its worst-ever electoral result.

The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc won Sunday's snap Bundestag elections with around 29% of the vote.

Editor's note: Alexander Rahr, German political scientist, chairman of the Eurasian Society (Berlin). The article expresses the personal opinion of the author and may not coincide with the view of News.Az.

Germany will hold its federal snap election on February 23, 2025, according to lawmakers and officials from three major political parties.

The Brandenburg state elections, scheduled for September 22, 2024, are attracting significant attention both in Germany and abroad. These will be the third elections in former East Germany this September, following those in Thuringia and Saxony. Approximately 2.1 million citizens are expected to be eligible to vote.