Germany's conservatives are celebrating after the country's snap election. 

Friedrich Merz is most likely to become the country's next chancellor. 

His centre-right Christian Democratic Union has topped votes at just under 29%, with far-right Alternative for Germany, AFD, inching more than 20%. 

Merz must now form a coalition, but has ruled out working with AFD. 

Director of Berlin's Global Public Policy Institute, Thorsten Benner told Andrew Dickens the only option is for the CDU to govern with the outgoing Social Democrats. 

He says it's one of the better outcomes, as only a two-party coalition is necessary. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Germany's conservatives are celebrating after the country's snap election.&nbsp;
Friedrich Merz is most likely to become the country's next chancellor.&nbsp;
His centre-right Christian Democratic Union has topped votes at just under 29%, with far-right Alternative for Germany, AFD, inching more than 20%.&nbsp;
Merz must now form a coalition, but has ruled out working with AFD.&nbsp;
Director of Berlin's Global Public Policy Institute, Thorsten Benner told Andrew Dickens the only option is for the CDU to govern with the outgoing Social Democrats.&nbsp;
He says it's one of the better outcomes, as only a two-party coalition is necessary.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Thorsten Benner: Director of Berlin's Global Public Policy Institute on the outcome of Germany's snap election

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/af81e9f3-ca0c-46e0-b288-b28e014c67bc/transcript

The City Rail Link finally launched over the weekend and it's set to bring extra foot traffic to Auckland CBD, but concerns have been raised over the potential risks.

National's promising a dedicated Auckland Transport police team if elected, pledging an extra $7 million per year through Budget 2027 to recruit the extra officers.

Auckland Councillor Alf Filipaina says this is the right move, and he's been consistent in saying that the community needs to be protected.

"We need to protect the community, in particular, within the CRL - along with the transport officers." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The City Rail Link finally launched over the weekend and it's set to bring extra foot traffic to Auckland CBD, but concerns have been raised over the potential risks.
National's promising a dedicated Auckland Transport police team if elected, pledging an extra $7 million per year through Budget 2027 to recruit the extra officers.
Auckland Councillor Alf Filipaina says this is the right move, and he's been consistent in saying that the community needs to be protected.
"We need to protect the community, in particular, within the CRL - along with the transport officers."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Alf Filipaina: Auckland Councillor on the launch of the City Rail Link and whether extra police are needed

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bca7d86b-6e55-4c8b-b958-b4c4015d2988/transcript

A clear standout - as Labour rolls out a raft of proposed changes to our KiwiSaver scheme.

The party's promising to lift the employer contribution rate to six percent by 2032 - if elected. 

Labour would also introduce compulsory employer contributions, even when employees have paused or reduced their own share. 

Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds shares the latest with Ryan Bridge. 

A clear standout - as Labour rolls out a raft of proposed changes to our KiwiSaver scheme.
The party's promising to lift the employer contribution rate to six percent by 2032 - if elected.&nbsp;
Labour would also introduce compulsory employer contributions, even when employees have paused or reduced their own share.&nbsp;
Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds shares the latest with Ryan Bridge.&nbsp;

Barbara Edmonds: Labour Finance Spokesperson on its KiwiSaver policy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d54fba6d-fa85-4cec-b138-b4c4012d74d7/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Labour Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds shares the details of Labour's KiwiSaver policy. 

Auckland Councillor shares his thoughts on the opening of the CRL and if we need to establish Auckland Transport Police to keep people safe. 

Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on UK GDP, the European Central Bank raising rates and a look ahead to the UK rate decision. 

Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK national security adviser saying Europe must be ready to endure "real hardship" this winter if it is to keep up economic pressure on Russia and Reform UK receiving two £36m donations from British cryptocurrency billionaires. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Labour Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds shares the details of Labour's KiwiSaver policy.&nbsp;
Auckland Councillor shares his thoughts on the opening of the CRL and if we need to establish Auckland Transport Police to keep people safe.&nbsp;
Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on UK GDP, the European Central Bank raising rates and a look ahead to the UK rate decision.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK national security adviser saying Europe must be ready to endure "real hardship" this winter if it is to keep up economic pressure on Russia and Reform UK receiving two £36m donations from British cryptocurrency billionaires.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 14 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/df5ca341-66d4-494b-86d0-b4c4012ac0e2/transcript

Thorsten Benner: Director of Berlin's Global Public Policy Institute on the outcome of Germany's snap election

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