Politics Germany votes - difficult government formation feared
After a short and sometimes polarizing winter election campaign, Germany is electing a new Bundestag. Polling stations are open today from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. The political balance of power for the next four years will be decided. Around 2.3 million of the 59 million eligible voters in Germany are young first-time voters. In addition, there are more than 200,000 Germans living abroad who have registered to vote. Due to the short deadlines, however, it was very tight for them to cast their votes this time.
23.02.2025, 06:08
SDA
The scheduled Bundestag election, which is not due until the fall, was brought forward after the "traffic light" coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP broke up in November and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) lost a vote of confidence in parliament as planned.
Polls see Merz's Union as the strongest force
According to the polls, the CDU/CSU with chancellor candidate and CDU leader Friedrich Merz is likely to be the strongest force. The CDU/CSU are between 28 and 32 percent, followed by the AfD (20 to 21 percent). They are followed by the SPD (14 to 16%) and the Greens (12 to 14%). According to the polls, the Left Party could receive up to 8%. The FDP (4 to 5 percent) and the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance (3 to 5 percent) have to worry about making it into the Bundestag due to the five percent hurdle. Surveys show that around a fifth of voters are still undecided as to whether or who they will vote for.
In addition to Scholz and Merz, Green Party Economics Minister Robert Habeck and AfD leader Alice Weidel are also running as candidates for chancellor.
Germany faces complicated government formation
Depending on the majority, forming a government could be a major challenge. Merz is aiming for a two-party coalition with the SPD or the Greens, while CSU leader Markus Söder strictly rejects a coalition with the Greens. If several small parties get over the five-percent hurdle, the CDU/CSU will probably have to rely on two coalition partners. As with the failed traffic light alliance, this could mean greater instability.
Merz emphasized red lines for coalition negotiations at the joint election campaign closing with Söder in Munich. The CDU/CSU would not enter into an alliance with anyone "who is not prepared to bring about a change in economic policy and migration policy in Germany". And he emphasized that he would not enter into coalition talks with the AfD: "Under no circumstances, under any circumstances, will we discuss any talks, let alone negotiations or even participation in government, with the AfD. That is out of the question."
Scholz and Merz woo the undecided
Both Merz and Scholz campaigned for undecided voters at their parties' closing events on Saturday. "I don't believe in miracles, but in an election victory," said Scholz in his home town of Potsdam. "I am convinced that this time, a lot of people will only decide at the polling station." Merz was also confident of victory: "There are just under 26 hours to go. Then the traffic lights will finally be history in Germany," he shouted in Munich.
Scholz said that he was counting on many people giving both votes to the SPD "so that we are strong enough and so that the government can continue under my leadership". He said he was optimistic of achieving success in his constituency in Potsdam, where he is competing against Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), among others. If Scholz wins the direct mandate in Potsdam, he wants to remain in the Bundestag for the entire legislative period - even if he does not become chancellor again. "That has been clear for a long time," said Scholz.
Söder demonstratively behind Merz - and against the black-green coalition
Despite the Union's worsening poll ratings of late, Söder demonstratively backed Merz. The CDU leader was a man with backbone and had kept all the promises he had made to the CSU. He cited migration policy as an example. To cheers, Söder also repeated his categorical rejection of a coalition with the Greens. Merz, on the other hand, is keeping the option of working with the Greens open. In the direction of FDP leader Christian Lindner, Söder said: "Sorry, dear Christian Lindner. The time is over."
TV speed dating at the end of the election campaign
Even more than in previous elections, this time the parties relied on television and the internet as media in the election campaign. Scholz and Merz met in two TV duels, and there were further rounds with all four chancellor candidates.
Even on Saturday evening, just a few hours before the polling stations opened, Scholz, Habeck and Weidel answered questions from the public in a kind of speed dating event. Merz had canceled for scheduling reasons. The questioners were able to ask each of the three politicians questions for three minutes, and the topics were a mixed bag.
Scholz spoke out in favor of a new voluntary military service. Habeck pleaded for the federal government to invest more money in childcare, even though this is actually the responsibility of the federal states and local authorities. Weidel called for state subsidies for electromobility to be abolished.
Around 100 fewer MPs
The new Bundestag must convene no later than 30 days after the election - i.e. by March 25. However, the decision on the future government will probably not be made until weeks or even months later. Until then, the current government will remain in office on a caretaker basis. The new Bundestag will be significantly slimmer due to a reform of electoral law. The number of MPs has been limited to 630 - a good 100 fewer than at present.
Election campaign revolved around migration and economic weakness
The short winter election campaign was recently dominated by the debate on limiting migration. The attacks in Magdeburg, Aschaffenburg and Munich, in which several people were killed and many injured, were the concrete trigger for the resurgence of this ongoing issue. The second main topic was the weakening economy. Merz announced tax cuts and radical changes to the citizens' income, while the SPD wants to facilitate state investment by reforming the debt brake.
