The results from Germany’s most consequential election in a generation are still coming in, but Friedrich Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU is projected to win the biggest share of the vote and the most seats in the new Bundestag.
In a post on social media — written entirely in capital letters — Trump did not mention either Merz or his party by name, referring to “THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IN GERMANY,” but argued that the country’s swing to the right was part of a political shift that Germany shared with the U.S.
“MUCH LIKE THE USA, THE PEOPLE OF GERMANY GOT TIRED OF THE NO COMMON SENSE AGENDA, ESPECIALLY ON ENERGY AND IMMIGRATION, THAT HAS PREVAILED FOR SO MANY YEARS,” Trump wrote. “THIS IS A GREAT DAY FOR GERMANY, AND FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF A GENTLEMAN NAMED DONALD J. TRUMP. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL — MANY MORE VICTORIES TO FOLLOW!!!”
After two weeks of repeated attacks from the White House on European politicians, even a bizarre post like this one probably counts as unexpectedly good news for Europe.
Trump has strained transatlantic relationships to the breaking point by opening unconditional talks on the future of Ukraine with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and by repeating Moscow’s criticisms of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Many across the continent will be hoping Merz can convince Trump it’s worth standing by NATO and Ukraine, and not to ditch America’s historic commitments to European security.
Trump didn’t mention the far-right Alternative for Germany party favored by influential advisor Elon Musk. The tech billionaire has enthusiastically backed the AfD, including by posting several times on his X social media platform on election day.
