World
German chancellor candidates react to exit polls in Sunday's election
German chancellor candidates have spoken publicly to their supporters after exit polls came out indicating the results of the country’s snap federal election results.
Germans took to the polls on Sunday to elect their next parliament in an election that’s been dubbed as the most pivotal election in recent decades.
Four candidates were competing for the top chancellor job after the ruling coalition collapsed, triggering a snap election. Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) was fighting for re-election where he faced strong opposition in Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Alice Weidel of the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) and Robert Habeck of the Greens.
In the weeks leading to the election, the CDU – in alliance with its sister Bavarian party the Christian Social Union (CSU) – were the frontrunners, projected to win around 30% of the vote.
Trailing behind in second place were the AfD, who’ve experienced a dramatic surge in popularity recently and were projected to win around 20% of the total vote.
Scholz’s SPD came in third with polls predicting a 16% result for them, and former Vice Chancellor Habeck’s Greens polling at 13%.
Tens of millions of Germans cast their ballots on Sunday in a turnout that exceeded 80% of the nearly 60 million eligible voters.
Early exit polls have indicated that the CDU/CSU union are in the lead to govern with around 28.5% of the votes. The AfD were standing at around 20%, the SPD were at just over 16% – their lowest-ever election result – and the Greens at around 11.5%.
Vote counting is still underway and official results are expected to be announced on Monday, but they aren’t expected to change significantly. This means that Germany is once again headed to a coalition government, as winning an absolute majority has never happened in the country’s modern history.
Here’s how the candidates reacted to early exit results.
Olaf Scholz – SPD
Scholz who led the last coalition government before it collapsed triggering this vote convened with supporters in the German capital, Berlin.
The outgoing German chancellor said he takes full responsibility for his party’s loss.
“This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party. It is also an electoral defeat. I think that needs to be made clear at the outset in view of the result. And it is also very important for me to say that it is a result from which we must move forward together,” said Scholz.
The SPD chancellor candidate also commented on the significant gains of the far-right in the country, expressing concern over what this could mean for the future of the country.
“The fact that an extreme right-wing party like the AfD gets such election results in this country must never be something we will accept. I will not and will never accept this.”
Friedrich Merz – CDU/CSU
The union also held an event in Berlin, but unlike that of the SPD’s, this event was full of cheers and celebrations.
“We, the CDU and the CSU, the Union, we won this 2025 federal election!,” said Merz as he walked on stage to address supporters.
The CDU leader who’s tasked with forming a coalition to lead a new government thanked supporters for the trust they placed in him and the party and pledged to uphold this trust and advance the country.
“I am aware of the responsibility. I am also aware of the scale of the task that now lies ahead of us. I approach it with the utmost respect, and I know that it will not be easy.”
Merz added that his party will now prioritise speed in forming the next government, highlighting that it’s essential to get things started right away and work on reforming the country.
“The world out there isn’t waiting for us, and it isn’t waiting for long-drawn-out coalition talks and negotiations.”
“We must now become capable of acting quickly again so that we can do the right thing domestically, so that we are present in Europe again, so that the world sees: Germany is reliably governed again!,” continued Merz.
Alice Weidel – AfD
Far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel was also celebrating in the German capital following her hugely successful election result.
The AfD increased their share of the vote by 10%, doubling their result from the last federal election in 2021.
“We have doubled our votes, they wanted to cut them in half. The opposite has happened,” said Weidel.
The AfD candidate for chancellor also reiterated her willingness to participate in government despite the “firewall” against extremist parties.
“Our hand will always remain outstretched for participation in government, to implement the will of the people, the will of Germany. We are ready to participate in government,” continued Weidel.
Merz has already stated that he will not include the AfD in coalition considerations arguing that their policies do not represent or align with those of the union.
Robert Habeck – Greens
The Greens performed below expectation in Sunday’s federal election and both politicians and supporters knew it.
Speaking to supporters, the Greens candidate Robert Habeck acknowledged the poor performance and congratulated Merz on his victory.
He outlined some problems that he views as a major cause for concern for Germany.
“The election result itself is food for thought. Because the rise of right-wing populism, the lack of solidarity among many parties with Ukraine, which is fighting for its freedom, the unresolved relationship of many parties to a real European unity, that worries me, that worries us a lot.”
Habeck also reiterated his party’s willingness to join a coalition and take responsibility and contribute to the country, a decision that lies with Friedrich Merz, who will be given the mandate to govern once the election results are official.
The CDU/CSU will engage in talks with other parties over the coming days and weeks to form a new coalition and government.
One possible combinations could be the “Kenya” coalition. The Kenya coalition will bring together the red (SPD), black (CDU/CSU) and green (Greens), though experts say this would be a last resort as it is an unpopular alliance.
World
2 people killed in collision between jet and vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, source says
NEW YORK (AP) — An Air Canada regional jet struck a fire truck on the runway after landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, crushing the nose of the plane, according to authorities and photos of the wreckage.
Two people were killed, according to a person familiar with the investigation into the crash. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an active investigation.
Two Port Authority employees who were traveling in the fire truck also were injured, the person said.
There were 72 passengers and four crew members aboard the aircraft, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada, according to a statement from the airline. The flight originated at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, the major airport serving Montreal.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said in a statement that the jet had struck a rescue and firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate incident at about 11:45 p.m. The airport was closed as of 3 a.m. to facilitate the investigation, officials said.
Photos and videos from the scene showed severe damage to the front of the aircraft, with cables and debris hanging from a mangled cockpit. Nearby, a damaged emergency vehicle lay on its side.
Stairways used to evacuate passengers from aircraft were pushed up to the emergency exits on the jet, a Bombardier CRJ. The impact left the jet with its crumpled nose tilted upward.
In the moments before the crash, an air traffic controller could be heard on a radio transmission giving clearance to a vehicle to cross part of the tarmac, then trying to stop it.
“Stop, Truck 1. Stop,” the transmission says. The controller can then be heard frantically diverting incoming aircraft from landing.
Jazz Aviation issued a statement confirming the accident and noting the passenger and crew list was preliminary and subject to confirmation.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the incident.
World
Trump, Starmer agree Strait of Hormuz must reopen as Middle East conflict escalates
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President Donald Trump spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday to discuss escalating tensions in the Middle East, with a focus on the urgent need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore global shipping.
The leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East, and in particular, the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to resume global shipping, Downing Street said in a statement.
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Keir Stamer, UK prime minister, during a news conference providing an update on the situation in the Middle East, at Downing Street in London, UK, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“They agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was essential to ensure stability in the global energy market. They agreed to speak again soon.”
The call came amid a rapidly intensifying conflict in the region, with Iran blocking the strategically vital strait since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iranian targets on Feb. 28.
The military action triggered swift retaliation from Tehran and has since escalated into a broader regional war as Iran has sent missiles into numerous neighboring countries not directly involved in the initial conflict.
UK NUCLEAR SUBMARINE DEPLOYED TO ARABIAN SEA BEFORE IRAN TARGETS KEY US-UK BASE: REPORTS
President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office of the White House, on St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
On March 21, Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran demanding the reopening of the key maritime route, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that failure to comply would result in further U.S. action, including potential strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
EU PUSHES FOR END OF IRAN WAR IN A MANNER WHERE ‘EVERYBODY SAVES FACE’
Bulk Carrier, Belray, in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz on March 22, 2026 in northern Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Sunday’s conversation between Trump and Starmer perhaps reflected a thaw in the tense relationship between the two leaders.
Trump had publicly criticized the U.K. government, stating that Britain “should have acted a lot faster” in allowing the U.S. to use British military bases for strikes targeting Iranian missile sites.
Starmer had also maintained that the use of U.K. bases could only be justified under the principle of “collective self-defense” in the region.
He had initially declined to support the U.S.-Israeli military operation, drawing repeated criticism from the White House.
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Meanwhile, Trump appeared to apply public pressure, sharing a “Saturday Night Live” clip Sunday mocking the British prime minister’s handling of the crisis.
World
French elections: Paris stays left as far right makes mixed gains
France’s municipal runoff delivered a mixed verdict for the country’s main political forces on Sunday: the Left held Paris with Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire, the far-right and its allies scored a major symbolic win in Nice, and mainstream parties pointed to resilience in several big and mid-sized cities ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
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Municipal elections in France are local contests to elect mayors and local councils, but they are closely watched because they test party organisation, alliance-building, and grassroots strength before national campaigns begin.
In the capital, Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire defeated conservative rival Rachida Dati, ensuring Paris remains under left-wing control after outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo chose not to seek another term.
The result extends a quarter-century of left-led rule of the capital and hands to the Socialists one of the most visible prizes of the night. Grégoire presented the result as a mandate for a progressive vision of the city.
Elsewhere, the left also had reasons to celebrate. In Marseille, Socialist incumbent Benoît Payan was re-elected after the far right had hoped to seize France’s second-largest city.
While in Lyon, Green mayor Grégory Doucet held on after a hard-fought race against his conservative rival, which was reshaped by a last-minute merger with the list of hard-left party France Unbowed.
Socialists record strong showing
The Socialists also held or performed strongly in several regional cities, reinforcing the impression of a broader recovery for the traditional left.
For the far right, the picture was more complex. National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella hailed what he called the party’s biggest local breakthrough, and RN kept the southwestern city of Perpignan while also winning smaller municipalities.
But the party fell short in several of the larger cities it had targeted, notably Marseille, Toulon and Nîmes. The exception was Nice, where Éric Ciotti — once a senior figure in the mainstream right and now allied with RN — won the race, giving the far right and its partners control of France’s fifth-largest city.
The elections also brought clearer signs of fragmentation on the centre-right and in President Emmanuel Macron’s camp.
Former prime minister Édouard Philippe was re-elected in Le Havre, strengthening his standing as a possible 2027 contender, while Macron’s centrist forces could point to a symbolic win in Bordeaux, where Renaissance candidate Thomas Cazenave defeated outgoing Green mayor Pierre Hurmic.
At the same time, the loss of Macron’s former PM, François Bayrou, in southwestern Pau, underlined the vulnerabilities of the broader presidential alliance.
Turnout remained a concern. According to the Interior Ministry, participation in mainland France stood at 48.1% at 5 p.m., higher than the Covid-disrupted 2020 election but still below pre-pandemic levels.
Taken together, the results do not predict who will succeed Macron in 2027. But they do sketch the political landscape from which that contest will emerge: a left that can still win major cities, a mainstream right that remains locally entrenched, a centre searching for durable footholds, and a far right that is growing but may still face limits in the country’s biggest urban battlegrounds.
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