Germany election and Angela Merkel news

By Aditi Sangal, Fernando Alfonso III, Mike Hayes and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

Updated 6:56 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021
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4:24 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021

German voters react to exit poll results

From CNN's Frederik Pleitgen, Salma Abdelaziz, Nadine Schmidt, Stephanie Halasz and Laura Smith-Spark

Robin Fugmann, 20, an ardent supporter of Olaf Scholz, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), told CNN he was delighted by the election results so far.

"It is really an amazing result, people believe in Olaf Scholz, people believe that Armin Laschet really cannot lead this country," he said. "So we really have the mandate to lead a new government -- I hope we will do so. And first of all we are going to celebrate because this is a really amazing result."

Deborah Piraba, a 27-year-old law student and Young Christian Union Democrat, told CNN at the CDU headquarters that the results were "disappointing" but that nothing was lost yet.

"We have to consider that we are coming out of 16 years with Angela Merkel, whom I am a big fan of. I am already sad she is leaving the office," she said. "We call her Mutti (Mom), she knew how to talk to people and has the connection with people and she has done so much for Germany. This made her so special comparing her with other politicians. I will also miss her sense of humor."

Earlier today: Germany's left-leaning Social Democratic Party (SPD) celebrated a narrow lead in exit polls published after voting ended in Germany's federal election, but the final result of the closely fought contest remains uncertain.

A Forschungsgruppe Wahlen exit poll for CNN affiliate n-tv suggested the SPD had 25.7% of the vote, with the center-right Christian Democratic Union of outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel on 24.6%, followed by the Greens at 14.4%, the FDP at 11.7% and the AfD at 10.7%.

The narrowness of the margins means the German elections are at this point too close to call and predicting the next government -- and chancellor -- is impossible. A large number of postal ballots also remain to be counted.

Whichever party comes out in front, lengthy coalition negotiations are expected before a government can be formed.

4:12 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021

Christian Democratic Union minister says election results are "disappointing"

From CNN's Fred Pleitgen, Claudia Otto and Nina Avramova

Peter Altmaier, the Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, attends a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) election campaign event in St. Wendel, Germany, on September 22.
Peter Altmaier, the Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, attends a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) election campaign event in St. Wendel, Germany, on September 22. (Oliver Dietze/dpa/picture-alliance/Sipa)

Peter Altmaier, of Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, told CNN's Fred Pleitgen that the election result is "disappointing," however, it is not a "landslide victory for the opposition parties."

“It is in a way a very ambivalent result. This is in no way a landslide victory for the opposition parties. I would conclude from the 16 years of Angela Merkel in government there is a lot of confidence in the capability of Christian Democrats in Germany to govern the country," said Altmaier, the Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy.

The CDU party favors a "centre-based" government, according to Altmeier.

"We believe that a centre-based government is the best solution for Germany and that means the leadership of Christian Democrats together with the Green Party and the Liberal Party, we call it the ‘Future Coalition,'" he added.

Altmaier explained that now is not the time to discuss individual candidates but focus on the future political direction of the country. He sounded still hopeful about the upcoming final results, saying "nobody can exclude that the Christian Democratic Party will lead the election results finally."

Reflecting on the election, Altmaier said: “The clear message to all the people around the globe is that democracy in Germany is quite stable, this was not the day of extremist parties - not from the left not from the right - it was the day of the conventional parties from the centre of our democracy.”

“This is a positive indication. We have now three different parties able to form a coalition, in different coalition constellations, we will see what happens, but I am basically optimistic that’s a success story of the country.”

3:26 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021

Germany's democratic parties put climate action on their agenda but the details are lacking, activist says

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

German climate activist Luisa Neubauer looks on as she and other activists give a press statement in Luetzerath, western Germany, on Saturday, September 25.
German climate activist Luisa Neubauer looks on as she and other activists give a press statement in Luetzerath, western Germany, on Saturday, September 25. (Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images)

Climate change was one of the primary issues in this German federal election season, especially after the deadly floods in July. While democratic parties made it a part of their campaign, climate activist Luisa Neubauer said she is not encouraged because the details are lacking.

"All the democratic parties wrote down in their manifestos that they would want to stick to the 1.5 degree limit [set in the Paris climate agreement.] But none of them provided plans that were sufficient to actually stay below 1.5. So of course, there's this huge discrepancy between the targets and measures. That's what we advocated for to be closed," she told CNN.

If no party gets into the details of measures they will take to achieve climate targets, then it becomes a "self-fulfilling prophecy," Neubauer said.

"If none of the parties talk about the climate crisis we're in, the catastrophe we are in, people won't be ready and up for the radical changes that are desperately needed," she explained. "Then no party will provide measures that are actually sufficient. So we are seeing how a vicious cycle has really put this election campaign in a weird spot where nobody talks about ... a structural and all-party effort."

The hope for climate action comes from the people and not politics, she added.

"I don't expect the hope to come from the party politics. Hope is coming from the people and nothing was more hopeful this summer than 620,000 people who marched with us on the streets, making very clear that the 1.5-degree limit is not up for debate. That we are ready for the changes, and we're no longer waiting for politics to create the changes but we would rather decide to be the change ourselves."

2:44 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021

"This is also an election for climate," environment state secretary says as his German party leads narrowly

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Jochen Flasbarth, state secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, speaks at a press conference on March 2, in Berlin.
Jochen Flasbarth, state secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, speaks at a press conference on March 2, in Berlin. (Florian Gaertner/Photothek/Getty Images)

As the left-leaning Social Democratic Party narrowly leads in exit poll results, its member and Germany's state secretary for environment Jochen Flasbarth says it's the first time his party "really fought for climate, fought for the environment."

"There was always a positive environment protection position. It was a first time that it was not tactical, that was really coming out of the heart of Social Democrats. And so this is also an election for climate, for the environment," Flasbarth told CNN.

While his party currently leads with a narrow margin according to the exit poll results, he said that a clear picture may not emerge soon.

"It is absolutely not clear what will happen during this evening. It is still too close," he said Sunday. "We will need to wait a whole night until we can see what kind of government we will see in the future."

If SPD does get the chance to form a coalition, Olaf Scholz's first choice in forming a coalition would be the Green Party, Flasbarth said.

"This will not be sufficient to reach a majority in parliament. That is clear right now. So there are two more options together with liberals. And it is still possible to have a government [comprised of] the Social Democrats, the Geen Party and the left," he said.

As Angela Merkel's 16-year-old tenure ends, Flasbarth said he would miss her.

"I have to say that she has been leading the country in a very inclusive way. She was popular also outside the close conservative group of voters," he said. "After 16 years, now it is time for change."

1:56 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021

Olaf Scholz addresses a raucous crowd of supporters

From CNN's Sebastian Shukla

Olaf Scholz waves at the Social Democrats headquarters after exit polls show the party's tight lead over the CDU.
Olaf Scholz waves at the Social Democrats headquarters after exit polls show the party's tight lead over the CDU. (Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images)

Olaf Scholz arrived at SPD Party HQ to a rousing reception of whoops, hoots and chants of “Olaf, Olaf, Olaf!”

It seems he waited for Armin Laschet, candidate for the conservative CDU party, to finish speaking on the other side of the German capital.

Every sentence he uttered was met with another rapturous round of applause.

"The voters have decided that the Social Democratic party has gained, and this is a great success,” Scholz said.

“Many citizens have put their crosses next to the SPD because they want there to be a change in government and also because they want the next chancellor of this country to be called Olaf Scholz," he said.

Talking about what Scholz had campaigned for, he said the electorate had given the party a mandate.

“Pragmatism, optimism, unity that is what we will show because that is what counts, and I am sure the citizens will also be happy post-election about their decision."

As other party members finished speaking he was joined on stage by his team and waved to the crowd dotted with the SPD red.

The crowd shouted “Olaf!” before he left.

WATCH:

1:41 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021

"We will do everything to try to build a coalition," CDU's Laschet says as party trails in exit poll results

From CNN's Stephanie Halasz

Armin Laschet takes the stage at Konrad Adenauer House after exit polls reveal that Christian Democratic Union narrowly trails the Social Democratic Party.
Armin Laschet takes the stage at Konrad Adenauer House after exit polls reveal that Christian Democratic Union narrowly trails the Social Democratic Party. (Michael Kappeler/AP)

After exit polls showed Chancellor Angela Merkel's right-leaning party trailing, candidate Armin Laschet spoke at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters.

"We cannot be content with this result," he said as Merkel stood on stage with him. "We can foresee that there could be a government with three parties. We have gotten a mandate against a leftist government. We will do everything to try to build a coalition."

Currently, left-leaning Social Democratic Party (SDP) has a narrow lead.

“An important legislative period lies ahead of us, I am ready for this task,” Laschet added.

The current exit poll numbers are the worst showing ever in CDU's history.

“This is a result with bitter losses. There's no way to sugarcoat it,” said Paul Zemiak, Secretary General of the CDU and member of the Bundestag, at the headquarters. “This result really hurts.”

"But the evening is long, and we will see what the next few hours will bring,” he added.

The narrowness of the margins means the German elections are at this point too close to call and predicting the next government — and chancellor — is impossible. A large number of postal ballots also remain to be counted.

WATCH:

1:08 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021

Left-leaning SPD's narrow lead signals Germany's shift toward social welfare and green politics, expert says

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

CNN
CNN

While the final result of the closely-fought German federal election remains uncertain, exit polls show that the left-leaning Social Democratic Party (SPD) is narrowly ahead with 26% of the vote, and Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) trailing at 24%.

Even if the final result changes this vote distribution, the basic fact is "after 16 years in power, almost 76% of Germans have not voted" for Merkel's party, CNN commentator Dominic Thomas said.

Neither CDU nor SPD will have a real opportunity to create a coalition, he added.

"If it is the SPD that leads the way, the only path forward is going to be speaking to three parties that most likely will involve the Greens and the FDP. And that's quite a tall order trying to just bring all of those together," he told CNN Sunday. 

The slow erosion of the popularity of Merkel's party could be a result of infighting and the political shifts that have occurred over the last 16 years, Thomas explained.

In a departure from the traditional coalition between center-left and center-right, there is a movement toward center and center-left.

"[It] better reflects the younger electorate, the move away from the conservative CDU," he said. "Nobody does not believe in environmental issues and climate. It is just a question of degrees — To what extent do we impose emission controls, what dates do we expect to reach them?"

Germany's political landscape and its relationships with international partners will be characterized by this "move away" from the conservative party and from Merkel's brand, Thomas added.

"It is clear that the momentum is moving more towards issues that concern social welfare, green politics."

12:13 p.m. ET, September 26, 2021

Center-left SPD party narrowly ahead, exit poll suggests

SPD members react to initial election results at their Berlin headquarters.
SPD members react to initial election results at their Berlin headquarters. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

The left-leaning Social Democratic Party (SPD) is narrowly ahead in exit polls published after voting ended in Germany’s federal election, a Forschungsgruppe Wahlen exit poll for CNN affiliate n-tv suggests, but the final result of the closely fought contest remains uncertain.

11:28 a.m. ET, September 26, 2021

Excitement builds at Social Democratic Party headquarters

From CNN's Sebastian Shukla 

Members of the media start to gather at the SPD party headquarters in Berlin.
Members of the media start to gather at the SPD party headquarters in Berlin. (Britta Pedersen/picture alliance/Getty Images)

While Berlin’s marathon comes to a close, the country's electoral race is reaching its finish line.

The country will have an idea of where German politics goes next after Angela Merkel at about 6 p.m. local time (12 p.m. ET).

Over at Social Democratic Party headquarters, a short walk down from Checkpoint Charlie, the atmosphere is building slowly.

Audio from German broadcasters has started to fill the air and media from around the world has descended and are jostling into position.

A statue of the former German Chancellor Willy Brandt stands in the building's atrium next to a red platform where current SPD leader Olaf Scholz will appear later today.