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German election 2025

Germany's coalition government collapse has set the stage for an early election in February 2025. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a confidence vote that he lost in December 2024.

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Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives for a plenary session during an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives for a plenary session during an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

How German Chancellor Olaf Scholz became so unpopular

Despite poor polling, Scholz is set to again be the Social Democrats' top candidate in February's early elections.

The Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz answers to reporters at the Christmas Market, where a car drove into a crowd on Friday evening, in Magdeburg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.

The Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz answers to reporters at the Christmas Market, where a car drove into a crowd on Friday evening, in Magdeburg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.

Germany: Magdeburg attack could shape upcoming election

With a general election due, it didn't take long for politicians to try and exploit the attack at the Christmas market.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits a German Navy vessel in 2023

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits a German Navy vessel in 2023

German defense minister warns of Russian 'hybrid warfare'

Boris Pistorius said Berlin must be on alert for any hybrid attack by Moscow, amid concerns of election interference.

Elon Musk at a Republican polticial rally in the United States

Elon Musk at a Republican polticial rally in the United States

German politicians criticize Musk backing for far-right AfD

After Elon Musk posted his support for Germany's far-right AfD, the party's leader Alice Weidel expressed her gratitude.

Soldiers on a Russian T-90M Proryv tank

Soldiers on a Russian T-90M Proryv tank

Survey: Germans fear Russia — and political instability

Germans fear Russia will attack other countries. And they want a change of government at home, a new poll shows.

Alice Weidel gesturing during a speech

Alice Weidel gesturing during a speech

Fact Check: Far-right AfD supporters spread false survey

Germany's federal elections are around the corner. Some supporters use false surveys to further their party's cause.

CDU MP and former health minister Jens Spahn speaks to DW

CDU MP and former health minister Jens Spahn speaks to DW

Spahn: 'We offer a political turnaround'

The former CDU health minister Jens Spahn speaks to DW's Michaela Küfner about the CDU/CSU campaign manifesto.

AfD supporters demonstrating, holding a banner reading 'Deutschland zuerst!' (Germany first)

AfD supporters demonstrating, holding a banner reading 'Deutschland zuerst!' (Germany first)

Far-right AfD party wants Germany to leave the EU

The far-right AfD has radical proposals for Germany to leave the EU and the euro. What consequences would this have?

Friedrich Merz in conversation with his party's lawmakers

Friedrich Merz in conversation with his party's lawmakers

German election 2025: Parties present campaign platforms

In their draft election manifestos, Germany's political parties focus on income, the economy and jobs.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Chancellor Scholz (R) meets German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (C) to ask him to dissolve parliament

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Chancellor Scholz (R) meets German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (C) to ask him to dissolve parliament

Parliamentary vote triggers new election in Germany

Chancellor Scholz was expecting to lose the confidence vote. Snap elections are now just around the corner.

Olaf Scholz seen from above as he is leaving the plenary chamber

Olaf Scholz seen from above as he is leaving the plenary chamber

Germany's history of confidence votes in parliament

Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence in parliament, triggering snap elections. There have been precedents.

Olaf Scholz

Olaf Scholz

Germany: Scholz paves the way for snap elections

Chancellor Scholz has put forward his request for a confidence vote in his government.

Friedrich Merz arrives in Ukraine

Friedrich Merz arrives in Ukraine

German chancellor-hopeful Friedrich Merz arrives in Kyiv

Christian Democrat chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has taken a surprise trip to Kyiv.

Alice Weidel gestures with her right hand as she speaks at a lectern

Alice Weidel gestures with her right hand as she speaks at a lectern

Who is Germany's far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel?

Alternative for Germany party leader Alice Weidel is running for chancellor. Where does she stand politically?

Binary code is being displayed on a smartphone and on a computer screen

Binary code is being displayed on a smartphone and on a computer screen

AI fakes, cyberattacks threaten German election

With elections set for February, concern is growing about efforts to sway public opinion through online manipulation.

France's former PM Michel Barnier walking up a set of stairs

France's former PM Michel Barnier walking up a set of stairs

Disarray in France and Germany is 'bad news' for EU

As Donald Trump prepares to take office in the US, the EU powerhouses face political collapse and economic contraction.

Demonstration banner calling for the abolition of paragraph 218

Demonstration banner calling for the abolition of paragraph 218

Abortion in Germany: Preelection push for liberalization

A cross-party initiative wants to decriminalize abortion in the early stage of pregnancy. But conservatives are opposed.

Olaf Scholz at the conference to kick off the election campaign

Olaf Scholz at the conference to kick off the election campaign

Germany's Social Democrats kick off election campaign

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's parrty has launched its election campaign promising to reverse flagging fortunes.

To The Point (TOPO)

To The Point (TOPO)

Russia's strategy in Ukraine: Is Putin's war going global?

Putin's latest moves in Ukraine spell trouble for Ukraine and its NATO allies. Is a global war more likely than ever?

Politicians sit in the German Bundestag in Berlin.

Politicians sit in the German Bundestag in Berlin.

Germany's vote of confidence explained

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is asking parliament for a vote of confidence. How does the vote work?

Olaf Scholz smiles and squints

Olaf Scholz smiles and squints

Who are Germany's top candidates in the 2025 election?

Germany's political parties have selected their top candidates for the February 23 snap elections. Here is the lineup.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

SPD picks Scholz for chancellor candidate again

After two weeks of internal wrangling, Germany's SPD are backing Olaf Scholz for a second term as chancellor.

Friedrich Merz (left) and Angela Merkel (center) smile during a celebration of Merkel's 70th birthday

Friedrich Merz (left) and Angela Merkel (center) smile during a celebration of Merkel's 70th birthday

Merkel nemesis Friedrich Merz aims to be German chancellor

Friedrich Merz, long a conservative icon among the Christian Democrats, wants to unseat Olaf Scholz and lead Germany.

Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz

Germany's conservatives want to cut benefits for Ukrainians

Germany's CDU argue that high social benefits discourage Ukrainian war refugees from taking up work.

A man holds the flags of Germany and the far-right AfD party

A man holds the flags of Germany and the far-right AfD party

German populists' rise concerns EU parliament head

Roberta Metsola said the results of the upcoming German snap elections would be a "litmus test for all of Europe."

Olaf Scholz and Boris Pistorius

Olaf Scholz and Boris Pistorius

Germany: Olaf Scholz to be nominated as SPD candidate

Chancellor Olaf Scholz will run for a second term as the SPD's lead candidate after Boris Pistorius withdraws.

Boris Pistorius and Olaf Scholz standing next to an air defense system. Archive image.

Boris Pistorius and Olaf Scholz standing next to an air defense system. Archive image.

Germany: SPD's Pistorius says he will not run for chancellor

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said he has no desire to run for chancellor, and would be supporting Olaf Scholz.

left to right: Bodo Ramelow, Gregor Gysi and Dietmar Bartsch

left to right: Bodo Ramelow, Gregor Gysi and Dietmar Bartsch

Germany: How three old men hope to save the Left Party

The Left Party is banking on a trio of old men to get it reelected to parliament in February.

Boris Pistorius

Boris Pistorius

Is Boris Pistorius the man for the job of German chancellor?

Defense Minister Pistorius is Germany's most popular politician — and many want to see him as candidate for chancellor.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in front of an air defense system

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in front of an air defense system

Scholz or Pistorius: Germany's SPD to discuss candidates

Pressure is mounting among Germany's Social Democrats to decide on the political future of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks in front of the Bundestag, flanked by flags

Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks in front of the Bundestag, flanked by flags

What is the German president's role in a snap election?

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can dissolve parliament if Chancellor Scholz loses a December confidence vote.

A photo of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (L) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, both of Germany's center-left SPD

A photo of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (L) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, both of Germany's center-left SPD

Some of Germany's Social Democrats seek post-Scholz SPD

Chancellor Scholz is facing calls from within the Social Democrats to step aside for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Annalena Baerbock and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck taking a selfie on the sidelines of the party conference in November 2024

Annalena Baerbock and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck taking a selfie on the sidelines of the party conference in November 2024

Germany's Greens push to retain power

Germany's Green Party has chosen its top candidate and new co-leaders ahead of the general election in February.

A young woman stands outside the German government building at night

A young woman stands outside the German government building at night

What do young Germans think about the government crisis?

Germany's three-party coalition has collapsed at a time already fraught with uncertainty. Are young people worried?

Robert Habeck gestures with open hands during the party conference in Wiesbaden

Robert Habeck gestures with open hands during the party conference in Wiesbaden

Germany's Greens pick Habeck to head election campaign

The Green Party has nominated Robert Habeck as their "candidate for the people of Germany" in upcoming snap election.

A person holds a smartphone in their lap, looking at an image of AfD leader Alice Weidel

A person holds a smartphone in their lap, looking at an image of AfD leader Alice Weidel

How will social media shape Germany's election campaign?

With a snap election slated for February 23, Germany is debating how social media should be used in the campaign.

Then-German Finance Minister Christian Lindner gestures with both hands while addressing lawmakers during a budget session

Then-German Finance Minister Christian Lindner gestures with both hands while addressing lawmakers during a budget session

Germany: FDP hatched plan to quit ruling coalition — reports

One of Germany's ruling parties reportedly devised an exit plan two months before the Olaf Scholz government collapsed.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks in parliament (file photo)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks in parliament (file photo)

What Germany must do to fix its broken economy

The breakdown of the ruling coalition in Germany comes at a particularly bad time for the country’s economy.

Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

How are Germany's conservatives preparing for Trump 2.0?

Conservative lawmaker Thomas Silberhorn talks about how to plan for Trump's presidency in domestically turbulent times.

Robert Habeck giving a speech at the 'Web Summit' in Lissabon on November 12, 2024

Robert Habeck giving a speech at the 'Web Summit' in Lissabon on November 12, 2024

Germany's Green Party kicks off election campaign

Green Party delegates are set to rally behind Robert Habeck and map out their course for the future.

To The Point (TOPO) am 14.11.2024

To The Point (TOPO) am 14.11.2024

Germany's downfall: Can a new government turn things around?

Germany faces snap elections while Donald Trump has been elected in the US.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz walking next to a lectern in parliament (file photo)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz walking next to a lectern in parliament (file photo)

Scholz addresses lawmakers after coalition collapse

Germany's chancellor urged all parties to pull together to pass important legislation ahead of a confidence vote.

Scholz speaking to Merz on the sidelines of a debate in the Bundestag parliament

Scholz speaking to Merz on the sidelines of a debate in the Bundestag parliament

Germany's election campaigning kicks off in parliament

Chancellor Scholz wants opposition help to pass legislation before the election, but the conservative CDU is reluctant.

A closeup view of a ballot paper, a pencil and a pile of badges showing political party logos

A closeup view of a ballot paper, a pencil and a pile of badges showing political party logos

Germany faces major challenges ahead of snap election

The opposition has accused Olaf Scholz of stalling, while others have been arguing that local authorities need time.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz (foreground R) addresses MPs in parliament as Chancellor Olaf Scholz (background C) looks on

CDU leader Friedrich Merz (foreground R) addresses MPs in parliament as Chancellor Olaf Scholz (background C) looks on

Germany's Scholz, opposition agree on date for snap vote

The early election, now set for February 23, was prompted by the collapse of Germany's coalition government last week.

Olaf Scholz walks outside, looking sideways at the camera

Olaf Scholz walks outside, looking sideways at the camera

What next for Germany after government collapse? A timeline

With the collapse of the fractious governing coalition, Germany faces an early election. DW explains the next steps.

A German election ballot

A German election ballot

Germany: Paper questions punctuate election date debate

As officials prepare for the likelihood of a snap election, logistical issues with ballot printing are a concern.

Olaf Scholz speaks while gesturing with his hands

Olaf Scholz speaks while gesturing with his hands

Germany headed for February 2025 snap election

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the opposition have agreed on an early election in February 2025.

A view from above of lawmakers sitting in the German parliament

A view from above of lawmakers sitting in the German parliament

SPD's Stegner defends no-confidence vote delay

Ralf Stegner, of the center-left Social Democrats, spoke with DW about what comes after the collapse of the coalition.

A wide view of the plenary of the German parliament, as people debate

A wide view of the plenary of the German parliament, as people debate

Germany moves to set 'right time' for early election

Calls for a snap election are growing louder within the German parliament, following the coalition's collapse this week.