Belgrade Post

Чуј одсад наше гласе
Monday, Apr 21, 2025

Germany Holds Snap Parliamentary Elections Amid Coalition Collapse

Over 59 million voters participate in elections following the disbandment of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, with conservative parties leading in polls.
Berlin - Today, snap parliamentary elections are being held in Germany following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition.

Public opinion polls indicate a strong lead for conservative parties ahead of the election.

This marks only the fourth instance of snap parliamentary elections in Germany's modern history since World War II. More than 59 million eligible voters are set to choose 630 members of parliament, who will serve a four-year term with the responsibility of electing a new Chancellor and government.

A total of 29 parties are participating in these elections, though only 10 are fielding candidates in all 16 federal states.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is the most prominent party, contesting in 15 states, with its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), participating in Bavaria.

The highest number of parties is competing in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, with 18 lists in each, while 17 lists are present in Bavaria.

Many parties are contesting in only one state.

Polling stations are open from 8 AM to 6 PM local time, with exit poll results expected to be released immediately after voting ends.

Initial official projections are anticipated throughout the election night.

Voters in Germany have two votes on their ballot paper.

Candidates' names in individual electoral districts are placed on the left side of the ballot, while party names contesting in the voter's state are listed on the right.

To qualify for seats in the Bundestag, parties must secure over five percent of the votes from the right side of the ballot, thereby surpassing the mandatory threshold.

The voting system includes considerations for individual candidates, as votes for these candidates can lead to direct mandates, even if their party falls short of the threshold.

Many Germans have already cast their votes by mail, as this option is available even for those who are at home on election day.

Voting by mail is the only option for Germans residing abroad, as voting in embassies and consulates is not permitted.

Polling suggests that the opposition CDU and its Bavarian counterpart CSU have led in national surveys for over two years, garnering approximately 30 percent support according to the latest figures.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), led by Alice Weidel and Tina Karpala, is in second place with 20 percent support, followed by the Social Democrats (SPD) of Olaf Scholz, which have seen a drop to 15 percent from their previous first-place standing in the 2021 elections.

The Greens receive 13 percent support, while the Left has five percent.

The Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the left-wing alliance led by Sahra Wagenknecht (BWS) each have around four percent support, raising uncertainties about their chances of surpassing the five percent threshold to enter parliament.

Concerns over economic downturns have risen, with approximately 68 percent of respondents expressing anxiety about this issue, compared to 48 percent in prior surveys.

Pre-election polls indicate a solid lead for the CDU/CSU coalition, with projections suggesting that conservatives could capture up to a third of the votes, thus enhancing their bargaining power in coalition negotiations for the chancellorship.

Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, has expressed that he does not seek future coalitions with the far-right, leaving the AfD in opposition once more.

The CDU is likely to seek partners among the Social Democrats or the Greens.

Historically, the SPD and CDU/CSU have governed together four times since World War II, including three administrations under former Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The snap elections were called following disputes within the so-called 'traffic light' coalition, which consisted of Social Democrats, Liberals, and Greens, and had been in power since 2021. Tensions surrounding economic policy and budget matters culminated in the dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, a move that triggered the collapse of the coalition government.

The Bundestag eventually approved the demand for snap elections only after a second attempt, following President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's dissolution of parliament.

Preliminary results are expected to be published shortly after the polling stations close.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
Alisha Lehmann's Modeling Campaign and Public Controversy Stir Debate Ahead of UEFA Women's Euro
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has just signed off on a national debt hike to fast-track Germany’s militarization
Serbia’s President Warns Against ‘EuroMaidan-Style’ Uprising Amid Mass Protests
Serbia’s Largest Protest in Decades Challenges President Vučić
Serbia's Authoritarian Regime Deploys Illegal Sonic Weapons Against Peaceful Protesters
European Union Moves Toward Joint Debt for Military Spending
Mass Protests in Belgrade Against Serbian President and Government
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade Following Deadly Train Station Collapse
Massive Protests Erupt in Serbia Against President Vučić Amid Corruption Allegations
Serbian Government Denies Use of 'Sonic Weapon' Amidst Massive Protests
Huge Protests Erupt in Serbia After Fatal Railway Station Collapse
Serbia Witnesses Unprecedented Protests Following Novi Sad Railway Station Collapse
China Introduces the 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery, Promising a Remarkable Lifespan of 5,730 Years.
Following the loss of countless Ukrainian lives, the devastation of the country, the collapse of its economy, and the mass exodus of its people, NATO has declared that Ukraine's membership is no longer being contemplated.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Grapples with Political Unrest Following Arrest Warrant Issued for Serb Leader
Trump Speaks on Possible Ukraine Ceasefire Amid Continuing Tensions
Putin Shows Interest in a 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine During Ongoing Hostilities.
French Prime Minister Bayrou Declares Position Against US Tariff Threats
EU and Canada Declare Retaliatory Tariffs in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Romania Excludes Top Presidential Contender Călin Georgescu from Election Re-run
Russian Teacher Under Investigation After Explicit Content Incident in Classroom
Poland Plans Comprehensive Military Training for All Adult Males Amid Enhanced Defense Initiatives
Lithuania Withdraws from Cluster Munitions Convention Amid Security Concerns
EU Member States Endorse Gradual Rollout of Entry/Exit System
U.S. Forms Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, Sparking Market Rally
Zelenskyy Encounters UK Prime Minister Starmer During Strained Relations with the US
DeepSeek Enhances AI Integration in Home Appliances Throughout China
Bosnian Serb Leader Sentenced to One Year in Jail for Defying International Envoy
Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on European Imports, Citing Unfair Trade Practices
The enigma of QR codes found on gravestones in Munich has been unveiled.
Research Explores Possible Connection Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Post-Vaccination Syndrome
German Chancellor Admits Party Loss in National Elections
Zelensky Calls on World Leaders to Advocate for Peace Amid Strains with Trump
University Students in Serbia Mobilize for Coordinated Protests Demanding Accountability
Nationwide Student-Led Protests Erupt in Serbia Following Railway Tragedy
Zelensky Urges European Military Growth in Light of Uncertain US Backing
Zelensky Prevents Trump-Backed Minerals Agreement Due to Security Issues
Steering Through the Updated Hierarchy at the European Commission
Parliamentary Legislator Advocates for Preservation of AI Liability Directive
Mark Rutte Calls on NATO Allies to Increase Defence Expenditure.
Dresden Remembers the 80th Anniversary of the World War II Bombing
Global Community Pledges Support for Syria's Political Transition
EU Allocates €200 Billion for AI Investments, Initiates €20 Billion Fund for Gigafactories
EU Recognizes Its Inability to Address USAID Funding Shortfall While US Aid Remains Frozen
Commission President von der Leyen Missing from Notre Dame Reopening Due to Last-Minute Cancellation
EU Establishes Official Disinformation Code for Online Platforms, Omitting X
×