Germany Votes in Pivotal 2025 Bundestag Election

Amid political shifts and a fragmented landscape, over 59 million Germans head to the polls following the dissolution of the Bundestag.

Polling stations across Germany opened at 8:00 AM, with over 59 million eligible voters deciding the composition of the new Bundestag.
The election was called early after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a parliamentary confidence vote in December 2024, leading to the dissolution of the Bundestag.
Key issues include coalition formation challenges, with smaller parties like the FDP and Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) facing uncertainty over their parliamentary presence.
Recent polls show the CDU/CSU leading, followed by the AfD, with the SPD and Greens trailing; the Left Party may secure enough support to re-enter parliament.
Changes to Germany’s electoral law mean winning candidates in direct constituencies require sufficient party votes to secure their seats, reducing the Bundestag's size to 630 members.