Germany Prepares for Early Bundestag Election Following Government Collapse

Voters head to the polls on February 23, 2025, with shifting party dynamics and new voting rules shaping the political landscape.

The early election was triggered after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote, ending the SPD-led 'traffic light' coalition government.
The CDU/CSU leads in polls, with Friedrich Merz seen as the frontrunner for the Chancellorship, while the SPD and Greens face declining support.
The far-right AfD has gained ground in recent years but is excluded from coalition talks by other parties; the new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) has also entered the political scene.
Berlin's electoral districts are closely watched, with competitive races for direct mandates and new candidates replacing high-profile figures like Kevin Kühnert and Gesine Lötzsch.
Reforms to Germany's electoral system have reduced the Bundestag's size and changed rules for direct mandates, increasing the importance of second votes.