Germany’s centre-right CDU and CSU parties have won the federal elections with about 28.5 to 29 per cent of the vote according to exit polls, paving the way for CDU leader Friedrich Merz to become chancellor at a time of economic and political upheaval in Europe’s largest democracy.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has conceded defeat as the CDU/CSU secures victory in Germanys national election. The right-wing AfD made history by finishing second with 20.4% of the vote, marking its strongest national result ever.

Germany’s conservative bloc, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have emerged as the biggest winners in the German federal election, exit polls show.