Germany's recent election results have left the political landscape in flux, with major parties grappling with unexpected outcomes.

The SPD, led by Olaf Scholz, faced criticism for its poor performance, which some attribute to broader European discontent with governments.

Meanwhile, the CDU celebrated a comeback under Friedrich Merz, despite falling short of a decisive victory.

The Greens and FDP, both struggling with internal challenges, are reassessing their roles in the new coalition talks.

A heated debate on the ARD show "Hart aber fair" highlighted the deep divisions among parties, with little consensus on key issues like migration and defense.

As the AfD gains traction, mainstream parties face mounting pressure to address voter dissatisfaction and rebuild trust.

The path to Germany's next government remains uncertain, with coalition negotiations set to test the limits of political compromise.