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A view inside the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament.
Image: Political-Moments/IMAGOImage: Political-Moments/IMAGO

German election 2025

Germany's coalition government collapse has set the stage for an early election in February 2025. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for a confidence vote in December, one he is expected to lose.

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All Content on this topic

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

Who is German Chancellor Olaf Scholz?

Chancellor Scholz is set to be his party's top candidate in the upcoming election, despite poor favorability ratings.
PoliticsNovember 22, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 21, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 21, 2024
left to right: Dietmar Bartsch, Bodo Ramelow, Gregor Gysi

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.
PoliticsNovember 21, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 20, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 19, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 19, 202401:12 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 19, 202402:29 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 18, 2024
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?
PoliticsNovember 18, 202402:30 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 17, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 17, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 16, 2024
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.
BusinessNovember 15, 202402:39 min
[No title]

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.
PoliticsNovember 15, 202436:05 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 15, 2024
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Germany's downfall: Can a new government turn things around?

Germany faces snap elections while Donald Trump has been elected in the US.
PoliticsNovember 14, 202426:04 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 14, 202402:26 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 13, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 12, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 12, 202402:27 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 12, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 11, 2024
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.
PoliticsNovember 11, 202401:58 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 9, 202406:01 min
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.
PoliticsNovember 9, 202401:21 min
Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to clear the way for an election fast.

Scholz pressured to call no-confidence vote

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to clear the way for an election fast.
PoliticsNovember 8, 202402:28 min
AfD leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel at the far-right party's convention in Essen

Germany's far-right AfD looks to capitalize on snap election

Though unlikely to govern, how does the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party want to reach German voters?
PoliticsNovember 8, 2024
Nach Ampel-Aus | Bundespräsident Steinmeier übergibt Entlassungsurkunde an Lindner

Germany's governing coalition collapses: What now?

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, of the Social Democratic party, has called for a confidence-vote in January.
PoliticsNovember 7, 202402:47 min
Robert Habeck, Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner on their way to a joint press conference (file photo)

What's behind Germany's coalition government collapse?

Chancellor Scholz's announcement of a confidence vote could trigger an early parliamentary election by the end of March.
PoliticsNovember 7, 202408:08 min
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and German Finance Minister Christian Lindner (R) during a joint press conference

Germany's coalition government collapses over ailing economy

Divisions over how to save Germany's feeble economy have led to the collapse of its government.
PoliticsNovember 7, 202402:03 min
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses a press conference

Germany's Scholz sacks FDP finance minister

German Chancellor Scholz sacks Finance Minister Lindner and says he wants to call a confidence vote in January.
PoliticsNovember 6, 202400:38 min
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

How can Germany call snap elections?

In what exact circumstances are early elections possible in Germany, and what would the process look like?
PoliticsNovember 6, 202401:02 min
Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands among German citizens in Berlin

Disgruntled German voters want change

Support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left government has reached a new low. But who stands to gain?
PoliticsSeptember 6, 2024