Scholz concedes election defeat and takes responsibility for result
Olaf Scholz (photo: Getty Images)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has conceded defeat in today's Bundestag elections. He also took responsibility for the results and congratulated the winner, Friedrich Merz, according to Rhein-Neckar-Zeuitung and NTV.
"This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party, it is also an election defeat," he said after the first exit polls by ARD and ZDF.
At the same time, Scholz noted that it is now important for the SPD to "move forward together." He thanked all party members for their participation in the campaign and congratulated the CDU/CSU, and Merz in particular. The politician said he would hold his post "until the last day" but made it clear that he would have nothing to do with forming a government.
"Now others have to find a way to form a government," Scholz said.
At the same time, he opposes the far-right Alternative for Germany party, saying that the SPD has a long history of fighting for democracy and that the far-right is something they should never tolerate.
"I think we can be proud that we worked so closely together in difficult times. I wish the result had been better, but we can fight for better election results in the future, and we are aware of our responsibility for our country and will continue to work accordingly. You (voters - ed.) can rely on us - you can believe that the Social Democratic Party will continue to adhere to its principles," he said.
According to the exit polls, the CDU/CSU came in first, the AfD came in second, and the SPD came in third. It should be noted that this is the worst result for the Social Democrats in the federal elections to date.
