2017 German federal election — federal election for the 19th Bundestag
The 2017 German federal election returned Angela Merkel to a fourth term while bringing the far-right AfD into the Bundestag for the first time.
Key Facts
- CDU/CSU vote share
- 33%
- SPD vote share
- 21%
- AfD vote share
- 12.6%
- Total Bundestag seats
- 709 seats
- Government took office
- 14 March 2018
- Longest coalition formation
- First time a proposed coalition collapsed and was replaced
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Germany's incumbent CDU/CSU-led grand coalition government, having served two terms, faced a fragmented political landscape marked by growing discontent over migration policy, energy transition debates, and the rise of populist movements, prompting voters to seek alternatives beyond the established mainstream parties.
On 24 September 2017, German voters elected the 19th Bundestag across at least 598 seats plus overhang and leveling seats. The CDU/CSU led with 33% but suffered a swing of over 8%, the SPD recorded its second-worst post-war result at 21%, and the AfD entered the Bundestag as the third-largest party with 12.6%, the first right-of-CDU/CSU party to gain seats since 1957.
Coalition negotiations were protracted and unprecedented: an attempted Jamaica coalition between CDU/CSU, Greens, and FDP collapsed after the FDP withdrew, forcing a return to grand coalition talks with the SPD. The resulting CDU/CSU–SPD government, Germany's fourth post-war grand coalition, did not take office until 14 March 2018, marking the longest government formation in the Federal Republic's history.
Political Outcome
CDU/CSU won 246 seats and formed a grand coalition with the SPD (153 seats); Angela Merkel began a fourth term as chancellor on 14 March 2018. The AfD entered the Bundestag as third party with 94 seats; FDP returned with 80 seats.
CDU/CSU–SPD grand coalition government (18th Bundestag)
CDU/CSU–SPD grand coalition government (19th Bundestag), with AfD as largest opposition party