"Heavy, polarized and fear—ridden": world media - about the elections in Germany

Recession, inflation, a surge in violence and terrorist attacks caused by uncontrolled migration — German citizens go to the polls, driven by thoughts about the heap of problems that caused the collapse of the coalition and forced them to decide the fate of the country six months earlier than the scheduled date. Europe and the United States are also closely following the event, which, in their opinion, should become "something more than just a national event." About the reaction of the world media to the Bundestag elections — in the EADaily material .

"In recent days, due to the tight deadlines of the election campaign, the focus has been on the task that the next German Chancellor will definitely have to solve. This problem seems to be much more existential — for the country and Europe as a whole — than one might have assumed at first. How the Germans vote will be a decisive factor in Europe's reaction to US President Donald Trump's new world order. The elections will have far—reaching consequences that go beyond the borders of Germany," the New York Times newspaper writes.

The Wall Street Journal puts at the forefront of the current elections the need to solve "multiplying economic problems" and find a way out of "increasing geopolitical isolation."

"On Sunday, Germans will go to the polls to cast their votes in crucial elections that will determine how Europe will respond to growing economic problems and increasing geopolitical isolation. Whoever wins the election and heads the next government will have to fix the country's faltering economy, which has been in recession for the third year, put an end to the smoldering migration crisis that is polarizing the country, and help Europe find a voice in a difficult time for the region," writes the Wall Street Journal.

BBC journalists also focus on the "stagnation of the economy" and "a series of deadly terrorist attacks" that have placed emphasis in the completed election campaign.

"The Germans are going to the polls after a tense election campaign characterized by a decline in the country's economy and a series of deadly terrorist attacks, which have re—actualized the importance of migration and security issues," writes the BBC.

The likely winner of the election and the future chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, according to journalists, will take the reins of power in the conditions of "polarization" of both German society, Europe and the world. The French newspaper Le Figaro also speculates about why the seemingly predetermined victory of Merz and the CDU/CSU bloc only adds intrigue to the question of the future of Germany.

"On the eve of the general election, Germany may know the name of its future chancellor, but there is almost complete uncertainty about the next government," the newspaper notes, hinting at the lack of clarity on the question of with whom Merz will form the updated composition of the government.

"In addition to this confusion, the political center that has dominated Germany for a long time, around which government coalitions are traditionally formed, seems to be losing support — in favor of extreme parties," the publication adds, referring to the pro—Russian Alternative for Germany, which, following the results of the elections, can overcome the mark of 20% of the vote.

To the south of Germany, namely in Italy, the polarization of German society also did not go unnoticed. The newspaper La Repubblica states that "tense Germany" is going to the polling stations today, which is "obsessed with the fear of instability and is concerned about a series of terrorist attacks."

"The population is looking hopefully towards the right, but the outcome of the elections will depend on small parties. Today, elections are being held in the EU's largest economy — almost 60 million voters, over whom the spectre of a crisis hangs. Compared to migration and the economy, issues such as Europe, education, housing, and even climate protection have faded into the background. Yes, the importance of increasing defense spending was also on the agenda — but rather as a slogan that bored voters, but still seemed necessary in the eyes of individual parties," the journalists summarize.