Berlin, Germany – The Social Democratic Party (SPD) has already acknowledged its defeat after the release of the first election projections for the Bundestag election.
SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch told the ARD, “It is a historical defeat, it is a very, very bitter evening.” The Union and CDU leader Friedrich Merz are now in a position to take up government responsibility. As to whether the SPD will take up government responsibility, “must, can, or should” Miersch said he could not yet say. “We will probably have to wait a long time before the possible constellations even become clear.”
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann, on the other hand, expressed general satisfaction, stating, “The new federal chancellor will be Friedrich Merz” and that the evening will show what exactly will be possible in the end.