Germans cast their ballots on 23 February 2025 in a federal election that determined the 630 members of the 21st Bundestag. The vote occurred seven months earlier than originally scheduled, following the dissolution of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing coalition in 2024. The chancellor lost his parliamentary majority and deliberately lost a confidence vote, enabling the president to authorize an early election.
This marks the fourth snap election in Germany’s post-war history. The conservative CDU/CSU alliance secured 28.5% of the vote, emerging as the largest bloc in the Bundestag.
While this figure falls well below the 41.5% achieved by Angela Merkel in 2013, it positions the alliance to lead the formation of the next government. Notably, this result represents the CDU/CSU’s second-worst performance since 1949. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) doubled its vote share to 20.8%, achieving its strongest result ever in a nationwide German election.
This placed the party in second place. However, its gains were tempered by the refusal of all other parties to cooperate with it in government.
The socialist Left party also improved its standing significantly, having polled below 5% until January 2025 before experiencing a substantial surge in support. Three opposition parties increased their vote shares compared to the 2021 federal election, indicating a shift in the country’s political dynamics. The Bundestag itself was reduced from 736 seats in 2021 to 630 seats, a reform aimed at streamlining the legislative body and improving its representation of the population.
The election results suggest a more fragmented political environment in Germany. The CDU/CSU alliance, despite its relatively low result, remains well-positioned to lead the new government.
However, the rise of the AfD and the improved fortunes of the Left party may complicate coalition-building efforts.
Looking Ahead
Attention now turns to the formation of a new government and the implementation of its policies. The CDU/CSU alliance must navigate the complexities of coalition negotiations, while the AfD and the Left party will seek to leverage their gains for increased influence. The coming weeks will be critical in determining how the parties interact and how their policies are received by the German public, shaping the direction of German politics following the 2025 election.
