Germany Prepares for Historic 2025 Bundestag Election

The snap election on February 23 follows the collapse of the coalition government and features significant electoral reforms and shifting political dynamics.

The 2025 Bundestag election was called early after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a parliamentary confidence vote, ending the SPD-led coalition government.
Major electoral reforms will reduce the size of the Bundestag to 630 seats by eliminating overhang and compensation mandates, a change aimed at streamlining the legislature.
Polling suggests the CDU/CSU leads with 28%, followed by the AfD at 21%, while the SPD and Greens trail with 16% and 14% respectively.
Concerns have arisen over brief voting deadlines for overseas Germans and reports of Russian disinformation campaigns targeting the election process.
Five parties have put forward chancellor candidates, including Olaf Scholz (SPD), Friedrich Merz (CDU), and Robert Habeck (Greens), but coalition negotiations will determine the next leader.