Germany Federal election: Here are the key parties, candidates, dates and everything you need to know

Bundestag, the lower House in German parliament, will vote on February 23. It is a representation of the Federal Republic of Germany and is the most important body with decisive legislative authority.

A no-confidence vote was held in January as chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition collapsed in November 2024 after sacking the cabinet finance minister, Christian Lindser.



The Federal President set in motion the proposal of the former chancellor after dissolving the 20th Bundestag in December.

Contesting Parties

Germany's politics has to centrist parties, Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) and the opposition conservatives, an alliance of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party. The Christian Social Union (CSU) is led by Friedrich Merz.

Additionally, smaller parties such as Green and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) have been taking over the vote share of these parties.


Running for the chancellor candidature, these players in the Bundestag raise certain key issues.

Ukraine

Ukraine is a topic of discussion in Germany. It is a top priority for political and military interests with contenders having divided opinions.

The mainstream parties all favour Russia’s invasion while AfD and BSW want to put an end to the weapon deliveries to Kyiv. Scholz follows a cautious approach emphasising the need for diplomacy in this sensitive situation to reinforce good relations with Moscow.

German Economy

Scholz has also proposed the revival of the economy through “incentivising private investment and modernising infrastructure”.

The CDU/CSU manifesto has proposed extensive financial relief for companies and citizens, including income and corporate tax cuts, and lower electricity charges. However, they have not reveled how it these would be financed.

The AfD led by Alice Weidel wants the country to ditch the euro, reintroduce the Deutsche Mark and potentially leave the EU. With their anti-Islam and anti-migration stand, the AfD also called for closing borders and denying the right to family reunification to asylum seekers.

Relations with the US

It is a concern for Germany with Donald Trump in power. It faces a possibility of increased tariffs and lower military support. US is one of Germany's key export hub. The Greens stand in support of bilateral communication with the US government, its main security ally.

As per Reuters sources, a majority government is unlikely in Germany, given the history of these parties. The two primary centre-left and centre-right parties have previously collaborated in Bundestag coalitions, and alliances involving the Greens or FDP are fairly common.