Germany is at a crossroads, and now for Friedrich Merz, hard work has begun.
The focus of this election has never been a country's efforts to rediscover its economic magic or reassess its asylum policy – absolutely important are these issues.
It's also about Germany's ability to become many allies hoping to become confident, world power.
Although Europe has capitals seeking Berlin's global leadership, priorities are often different within Germany.
Now, Melz will need to balance these requirements and the inevitable compromises brought about by alliance building.
His commitment to all represents everyone in a clear and distinct division in Germany.
This election once again emphasized the division between the East and the West, which had been unified for decades.
Voting data so far suggests that the AFD is consolidating its dominance in the former Communist East, while the CDU continues to prevail in most of Germany's southern and western regions.
ARD Export Polls show that young people aged 18 to 24 are most likely to support the Left Links party – followed by the far-right alternative fur Deutschland.
Ironically, among the four major parties, one party that most guaranteed no power has attracted so much attention.
The rise of the AFD is the central story of this election and contemporary German politics.
This is a party because the policy of “firewall” with the far-right is not cooperative.
The Ministry of Defense has been classified as a right-wing extremist by domestic intelligence.
One of its most prominent figures, Bjorn Hocke, was fined for using Nazi-era slogans.
It is reported that some AFD supporters have reportedly raised their eyebrows since turning the phrase into “Alice Fur Deutschland”.
These people might suggest it is what they think is a false excuse to apply fingers to their institutions.
Others fear that this is a more sinister sign.
AFD has become an increasingly large number of boxes, and some may even debate with a reckless attitude.
During the campaign, we heard an AFD MP – two people of color in a row – say, “If you don’t like it, go back to Heimat (hometown).
When we filmed him publicly, he did it-and then publicly denied it was racist.
However, a series of controversies have not stopped AFD from enjoying the best results ever.
In second, it did not outperform expectations, but it still marked the strongest performance of German far-right parties after the war.
It is already proficient in social media and has strong allies among tech billionaire Elon Musk, who publicly endorses the party.
Many people talk about 2025 as the turning point in Germany.
Either it’s a high water mark on the far right or the moment it remembers as the key gasket of its way to power.
Opponents say it depends largely on German centrist politicians uniting and addressing voter concerns.
If they don't, the AFD will be the main position to launch a political attack on the government as the main opposition in Germany.
AFD leader Alice Weidel attracts support from Elon Musk [Getty Images]
Director Alice Weidel, like this election, focuses on the next election.
The 46-year-old’s mission is to make AFD a more palatable political force, which seems to be effective.
Finally, let's not forget Olaf Scholz (even if many people already have it).
His allies say the outgoing principal must play a tough hand. In times of crisis, take charge of a clumsy three-way alliance – especially dealing with the consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Scholz is best remembered for his Zeitenwende speech. Guarantee (not fully delivered) to achieve a turning point in security and defense policy.
The failure to deliver at home or abroad now – could pose further danger to the parties occupying the German political center.
