Germany Prepares for Early 2025 Federal Election with Tightened Deadlines

The February 23 election introduces shorter timelines for mail-in voting and a reformed electoral system limiting Bundestag seats to 630.

The 2025 German federal election has been moved up to February 23, reducing preparation time for voters and election officials alike.
Mail-in voting deadlines are significantly shorter this year, with ballots needing to be requested and returned promptly to ensure they are counted.
A reformed electoral law caps the Bundestag at 630 seats, eliminating overhang and compensation mandates and making second votes decisive for seat allocation.
Election officials urge voters to utilize in-person voting where possible to avoid delays and ensure their votes are counted on time.
In Bavaria, early polls show the CSU leading with 44%, while the AfD is projected as the second-strongest party at 17%.