Overview

• Germany's 'traffic light' coalition, consisting of the SPD, Greens, and FDP, collapsed on November 6 following internal disputes over fiscal policies.
• Chancellor Olaf Scholz will face a vote of confidence on December 16, with elections scheduled for February 23, 2025.
• The CDU/CSU, led by Friedrich Merz, is currently leading in the polls, with plans to roll back several coalition reforms if elected.
• The far-right AfD is polling second, but mainstream parties continue to rule out coalitions with them.
• Economic issues, including potential U.S. tariffs and the debate over Germany's 'debt brake', are central to the election discussions.