Bavarian Premier Markus Söder exuded optimism when casting his ballot in Germany's early elections on Sunday, with his opposition conservative bloc having consistently polled in first place in the months leading up to the vote.

German voters cast their ballots in Sunday’s election , with opposition leader Friedrich Merz claiming victory and Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceding defeat. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is heading for the strongest showing for a far-right party since World War II.

Provisional results confirm that mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won Germany's national election, while a far-right party surged to become the nation’s second-largest.

Germany's conservatives won the national election on Sunday, while the far-right Alternative for Germany came in second, its best ever result.

Merz expressed concern over changing relations with Washington under the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for gradual independence from the U.S.

He has vowed to prioritize European unity and the continent’s security as it grapples with the new Trump administration and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

German stocks ended Monday higher in Europe after conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won the national election with promises of pro-growth policies to boost an ailing economy.

The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany surged to become the second-largest political force in the country.

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s conservatives have won a lackluster victory in a national election Sunday, projections show.