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Germany is all set for general elections on Sunday (February 23), triggered by the collapse of “traffic-light” coalition of social democrats, liberals and greens last year. Among the top issues for voters are economy, migration and Ukraine’s war with Russia. Recent polls suggest that opposition mainstream parties the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) are leading with 29 per cent support, just ahead of the far-right Alternative Fur Deutschland (AfD), which is faring at 21 per cent.
Olaf Scholz-led Social Democratic Party (SPD) is expected to secure the third position with nearly 16 per cent support.
Here is everything you need to know about elections in Germany.
What Germans are voting for?
It’s a parliamentary election. People are voting to choose their new Bundestag, the lower house of the parliament.
What’s the Bundestag and what does it look like as an elected body?
Bundestag is the lower house of the German Parliament. It consists of representatives of the German people who are elected for four years in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections. The house forms the legislative branch of government on federal level, together with the Bundesrat.
Who can vote in Germany’s national election?
All citizens of Germany aged 18 and above can vote in German parliamentary elections.
What are the polling hours?
Polling starts at 8 am local time and closes at 6 pm. Exit polls will come soon and the counting of votes begins quickly.
When will the result of the German election be known?
The general picture would be clear within hours of closing of the poll. However, the final results will be out only by early Monday (February 24).
How many voters are there in Germany?
According to an estimate of the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) based on the 2022 Census, there are approximately 59.2 million voters in Germany who are eligible to cast their votes in Sunday’s elections. Of these voters, around 2.3 million are first-time voters.
What are the main parties contesting the German election?
The country has two main centrist political groups: Scholz’s SPD and the conservative alliance of the CDU and CSU.
In recent years, both have lost support, while smaller parties from across the political spectrum—such as the Greens and the far-right AfD—have gained traction.
Other key parties in the election include the pro-market, center-right FDP, the far-left Linke, and the left-leaning populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).
How are the Social Democrats different from the Christian Democrats?
The CDU/CSU supports tax cuts for businesses and high earners, stricter asylum rules, and a strong global role for Germany, maintaining close ties with Europe and the US.
The SPD on the other hand prioritises social welfare, higher taxes on the rich, and relief for low and middle-income earners. It supports a more inclusive migration policy and focuses on diplomacy in foreign affairs.
The SPD lost working-class support after its “Agenda 2010” labour reforms, while the CDU/CSU faces growing competition from the far-right AfD.
The CDU/CSU leans pro-business and security-focused, while the SPD emphasises social justice and workers’ rights.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHow is AfD, the right-wing German party, different from two traditionally dominant parties?
The AfD seeks to block refugees, deport rejected asylum seekers, and push for mass expulsions. It promotes “traditional” German culture, rejects Islam, questions man-made climate change, supports nuclear energy, and opposes diversity and gender policies. The party also wants to restrict NATO’s role and replace the EU with a new entity.
Who are the top leaders to watch out for in the German election?
Four candidates are vying to be Germany’s next chancellor: incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrats), Friedrich Merz (Christian Democrats), Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens), and Alice Weidel (far-right AfD).
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