The German elections witness Merkel`s victory, with the rise of the far-right hawkish group

Berlin: The results of the parliamentary elections conducted on Sunday in Germany have been declared and it is now clear that long-time Chancellor Angela Merkel shall hold the reigns of the nation. At the same time, the entry of the radical far-right group ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD) into the parliament, has shocked not only Germany but entire Europe. The entry of the far-right, aggressive group into the German parliament, after a lapse of seven decades, since the death of the German ex-dictator Adolf Hitler, shall certainly cause a great turmoil in the political structure, indicate analysts. At the same time, the decline in votes of Chancellor Merkel and the associate parties is attributed to the ‘refugee influx’.

The parliamentary elections in Germany were held on Sunday. In the pre-election forecast, the leading German newspaper, ’Bild’, had estimated, that the support to the leading party of Merkel’s would decline below 35% and the ‘Alternative for Germany’, would receive 13% of the votes. The results declared on Monday have been in agreement with this forecast. Merkel’s ‘CDU/CSU’ front has received a meagre 33% of votes. The count of votes has reduced by a staggering 8% compared to the last elections.

The number of votes received by ‘CDU/CSU’ front has been the lowest since 1949. Its coalition party ‘SPD’, has bagged barely 20.5% of votes. The ‘SPD’, under the leadership of Martin Schulz, is believed to have shown the worst slide in two decades. After this decline, Schulz has refused to be a part in forming government with Merkel, and declared, that he would stay in the opposition and fulfill responsibility. As the established and the leading parties of the country were reeling under shock, it is the rise of the ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD), known for its aggressive right-wing views has stunned not only Germany but entire Europe.

The AfD, formed a mere 4 years back, as an anti-Euro group, has surprisingly won 12.6% votes in this election. Since the decade of 1930-40, it is the first time in German politics that a party aggressive with far-right views has gained entry into the Parliament. The AfD leader, Alexander Gauland, has equated refugee influx to a foreign invasion and indicated that his party will always fight and oppose it. An ‘AfD’ leader, Alice Weidel, declared that a committee would be appointed to investigate the mishaps committed by the Merkel government.

In the light of the announcement made by the ‘SPD’ to be a part of the opposition, and with the rise of ‘AfD’, it comes as a warning gesture to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as she faces a big challenge in the formation of a new government. Analysts claim that to form a government she may have to take the support of ‘FPD’ and ‘Greens’. But both these parties are known to represent opposite views and hence it could be a challenge to Merkel’s new tenure in office.

It is said, that the German election results will cause a major turmoil in the European Union as well. Germany plays a decisive role in the policies relating to refugee influx, Brexit and economic issues. However, it is claimed that the time spent in the formation of government, Merkel’s declining influence, may slow down the governing process resulting in severe backlash.