(de-news.net) – Following the SPD’s historically weak performance in the Bundestag election, Chancellor Olaf Scholz accepted responsibility for the electoral defeat, describing it as a “bitter result” for the party.

Scholz acknowledged his prior responsibility for better election outcomes and extended his congratulations to CDU leader Friedrich Merz, affirming the Union’s mandate to form the next government. He also expressed dismay at the strong performance of the AfD. Scholz also implied that he would not participate in upcoming coalition negotiations. He suggested that others should now find a way to form a government.

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil announced a personnel restructuring in response to the defeat, identifying the election outcome as a turning point requiring significant programmatic, organizational, and personal changes, and emphasized the necessity for a generational shift within the SPD.