Germany’s political system is set up to exclude extremists. Yet the country is waking up to a new political reality that has lurched to the right with the once outcast Alternative for Germany (AfD) party now firmly established in German politics.

The Christian Democrats won with 28.6% of the vote while the far-right Alternative for Germany came second with 20.8%.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Germany's Left party between them garnered the one third of seats in parliament needed to block changes to the constitution, including a loosening of the debt brake which restricts deficits to 0.

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.

Friedrich Merz has led the Christian Democrats to victory in Germany's election. The 69-year-old politician will now enter into talks with Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats (SPD) for a coalition government.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was the clear winner of Sunday's parliamentary election in the states that make up the former East Germany, highlighting lasting divisions almost a quarter of a century since the country was reunified.