German Polls See Rise Of Far Right Forces

Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) coalition emerged victorious in the national election held last fortnight in Germany. The Christian Democratic Union - a centrist conservative party in coalition with the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) - won the most votes overall, at approximately 29 per cent of the national vote combined. Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU party is set to become the next chancellor (prime minister) of Germany with 208 seats for the CDU/CSU. Konrad Adenauer - the first prime minister of Germany immediately after the Second World War - founded the Christian Democratic Party. He was a fervent advocate of European unity. He was at the forefront to conceptualise and sign the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which laid the groundwork for the European Economic Community and eventually the European Union.