Berlin, Germany – German voters head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new parliament, a decision that will shape the country’s leadership and policies for the next four years. As Europe’s largest economy and a key NATO member, Germany plays a critical role in the European Union and global affairs, particularly in supporting Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The election sees four major candidates vying for the chancellorship: incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), Friedrich Merz of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, and Alice Weidel of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Pre-election polls indicate that Merz’s CDU leads with approximately 30% of voter support, followed by AfD at around 20%, while Scholz’s SPD and Habeck’s Greens trail further behind. While Merz is currently favored to succeed Scholz, the formation of a governing coalition remains uncertain. All mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD, further complicating post-election negotiations.
Polling stations open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., with postal ballots required to arrive before the deadline to be counted. At least 59.2 million people out of Germany’s 84 million citizens are eligible to vote. The newly elected Bundestag, Germany’s 630-member lower house of parliament, will ultimately select the next chancellor.
A total of 29 parties are on the ballot, but only five to eight are expected to surpass the 5% threshold required to secure parliamentary seats. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for Europe, as Germany’s next government will be central to the EU’s response to global challenges, including relations with a new U.S. administration and continued instability in Ukraine.
Germany, alongside France, has traditionally been a driving force within the EU, but both nations have faced political instability in recent months. The election’s outcome will be closely watched as Europe navigates shifting geopolitical dynamics and economic uncertainties.