The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made big gains in the German general election on Sunday, securing between 19.5 percent and 20 percent of the vote, according to exit polls. This marks a historic result for the right-wing party, which has continued to expand its influence in German politics.

"We have achieved a historic result," AfD’s top candidate Alice Weidel told supporters at the party's election night gathering in Berlin. She emphasized that the party is now "firmly anchored" in the country's political landscape, reported BBC.

In contrast, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, leader of the Social Democrats (SPD), described the election results as "bitter" and acknowledged his party’s defeat. Exit polls indicate that the SPD placed third, securing 16-16.5 percent of the vote. Speaking in Berlin, Scholz stated, "We have to acknowledge we have lost the election... This result is worse, and I am responsible for that too."

Scholz congratulated Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU), which emerged as the strongest party in the election. He expressed worry over the AfD’s strong showing, stating, "Now we have the far-right - the AfD - and the fact they got such a good election result is something we cannot accept and I will never accept."

"We need to stick to what we have always said, we mustn't work with the far-right," he said, calling on other parties to uphold the same stance. He also stressed the importance of unity within the SPD and maintaining social democracy as a key political force in Germany.

"I am convinced that... our values are important so that our country remains significant," Scholz added.

AfD’s strong showing, with nearly 20 percent of the vote, represents an increase of more than nine percentage points compared to the 2021 election.