Germany Prepares for February Bundestag Election Amid Tight Deadlines

The February 23 election, triggered by the fall of the coalition government, poses logistical challenges for officials under compressed timelines.

The Bundestag election is scheduled for February 23, 2025, following the collapse of the coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Election officials face compressed timelines, with absentee ballots being sent out starting February 10, leaving just 13 days for their return.
Challenges include ensuring overseas voters can participate, with the Foreign Office assisting in facilitating international ballot logistics.
North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, accounts for 21% of eligible voters and is intensively preparing for its 12.6 million voters to cast ballots across 16,000 polling stations.
Polling stations nationwide will be open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on election day, with voters encouraged to avoid peak times to minimize wait times.