Scholz concedes defeat in Bundestag election

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has conceded defeat in the Bundestag election and congratulated likely chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz on his victory, Die Welt, DW and Suddeutsche Zeitung reported on Sunday, February 23.

According to media reports, unofficial preliminary results from the German election showed the conservative bloc of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) in the lead, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in second place and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) in third. Voter turnout was estimated at 83 to 84 percent, the highest in decades.

"This is a bitter result. This is an election defeat. But it is also a result that we must move forward with together," the German Chancellor said.

Scholz also stated that he bears responsibility for the results of the SPD elections, and congratulated Merz. The Chancellor noted that he and his government "led Germany through difficult times during the war in Ukraine," and that the Social Democratic Party can be relied on.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, early elections to the Bundestag were held in Germany on February 23 due to the collapse of the government coalition.

Recall that on February 15, CDU leader Friedrich Merz announced his intention to change Berlin's policy regarding the supply of Taurus long-range missiles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine after the elections.