The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) barely missed entering the German Bundestag, falling just short of the five percent threshold with 4.972 percent of the vote—about 14,000 votes shy. This outcome keeps Germany’s political structure more straightforward than if BSW had succeeded.
Had Wagenknecht’s party made it into parliament, forming a government would’ve been trickier for the CDU/CSU, requiring two coalition partners for a majority. Plus, a combined AfD and BSW bloc could have controlled a third of the seats, potentially stalling key decisions.
By Monday, BSW leader Wagenknecht hadn’t commented on the results. However, MEP Fabio De Masi raised concerns on X about the election’s legality, pointing to Germans abroad who couldn’t vote. Whether BSW plans to challenge the results in the Federal Constitutional Court remains unclear.
Meanwhile, CDU chief Friedrich Merz, following his party’s victory, pledged to form a government swiftly. A grand coalition with the SPD is mathematically possible, though the SPD, under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered its worst election result ever, slipping to third place behind AfD.
Merz aims to establish a government by Easter and is open to discussions with all “democratic center” parties. Leading SPD members signaled willingness to negotiate. On election night, Scholz hinted at stepping back, stating he wouldn’t represent the SPD in coalition talks. He ruled out holding any government position besides Chancellor.
Changes within the SPD are already surfacing: Party leader Lars Klingbeil is set to head the parliamentary group, while Saskia Esken stays as party leader. Meanwhile, outgoing parliamentary leader Rolf Mützenich won’t seek another term.
