2025 German federal election#Date assignment

Germany's Basic Law and Federal Election Act provide that federal elections must be held on a Sunday or a national holiday{{efn|In Germany, with the exception of the German Unity Day, all holidays are determined on the state level, and because of that, they do not necessarily apply for all German states. Currently, legal holidays in all states are New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, German Unity Day, First Christmas Day, and Second Christmas Day (Boxing Day).}} no earlier than 46 and no later than 48 months after the first sitting of a Bundestag unless the Bundestag is dissolved earlier. The 20th and sitting Bundestag held its first sitting on 26 October 2021.{{cite web|date=26 September 2021|title=Nach der Bundestagswahl: Wie geht es jetzt weiter?|trans-title=After the general election: what's next?|url=https://www.rnd.de/politik/bundestagswahl-2021-wann-steht-die-neue-regierung-wie-es-jetzt-weitergeht-TBS6IKIQ6HBHPTBVJH53T3VUI4.html|access-date=30 September 2021|work=RND|language=de|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927092851/https://www.rnd.de/politik/bundestagswahl-2021-wann-steht-die-neue-regierung-wie-es-jetzt-weitergeht-TBS6IKIQ6HBHPTBVJH53T3VUI4.html|url-status=live}} Therefore, the next regular election was to be held on a Sunday between 31 August 2025 and 26 October 2025. In August 2024, the Federal Cabinet initially recommended 28 September 2025 as the election date, which was approved by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.{{Cite web |title=Germany's president approves the date for next year's national election |url=https://apnews.com/article/germany-parliamentary-election-september-2025-fa9833641e1173f97f92f18d8be2229e |access-date=23 August 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=23 August 2024 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823160815/https://apnews.com/article/germany-parliamentary-election-september-2025-fa9833641e1173f97f92f18d8be2229e |archive-date=23 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

Federal elections can be held earlier if the president dissolves the Bundestag and schedules a snap election. They may only do so under two scenarios described by the Basic Law:

1. After a federal election or any other vacancy in the chancellor's office, if the Bundestag fails to elect a chancellor with an absolute majority of its members by the 15th day after the first ballot, the president is free either to appoint the candidate who received a plurality of votes as chancellor or to dissolve the Bundestag (according to Article 63, Section 4).
2. If the chancellor proposes a motion of confidence that fails, they may ask the president to dissolve the Bundestag. The president can grant or deny the chancellor's request (according to Article 68).

In both cases, federal elections would have to be held on a Sunday or national holiday no later than 60 days after the dissolution.{{cite web|title=Wahl zum 19. Deutschen Bundestag am 24. September 2017|url=https://www.bundeswahlleiter.de/bundestagswahlen/2017.html|publisher=Der Bundeswahlleiter|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108095220/https://bundeswahlleiter.de/bundestagswahlen/2017.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=Martin Fehndrich |date=26 February 2017 |title=Bundeskanzlerwahl |url=http://www.wahlrecht.de/lexikon/bundeskanzlerwahl.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508155815/https://www.wahlrecht.de/lexikon/bundeskanzlerwahl.html |archive-date=8 May 2022 |access-date=26 September 2017 |publisher=Wahlrecht.de}}{{efn|Possibility 1 has not happened since 1949; possibility 2 has been used a total of four times (in 1972, 1982, 2005, and this election).}}

Following a government crisis, Olaf Scholz dismissed FDP leader Christian Lindner from the incumbent government on 6 November 2024, triggering the collapse of the traffic light coalition and leaving the government without a majority. On the same day, Chancellor Scholz announced he would submit a motion of confidence to hold a snap election; this was initially planned for January 2025 for a late March election but was brought forward after pressure from the opposition.{{Cite web |date=7 November 2024 |title=Kanzler Scholz will im Januar Vertrauensfrage stellen |trans-title=Chancellor Scholz wants to ask for a vote of confidence in January |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/eilmeldung-8252.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106203735/https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/eilmeldung-8252.html |archive-date=6 November 2024 |access-date=6 November 2024 |work=Tagesschau |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Germany's governing coalition collapses |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-governing-coalition-collapses/live-70692143 |access-date=6 November 2024 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109013627/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-governing-coalition-collapses/live-70692143|archive-date=9 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=6 November 2024 |title=German government coalition collapses as Scholz sacks Finance Minister Lindner |last1=von der Burchard |first1=Hans |last2=Nöstlinger |first2=Nette |last3=Buchsteiner |first3=Rasmus |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-coalition-government-collapse-olaf-scholz-finance-minister-christian-lindner/ |access-date=6 November 2024 |work=Politico Europe |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109053009/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-coalition-government-collapse-olaf-scholz-finance-minister-christian-lindner/ |archive-date=9 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

Scholz submitted a motion of confidence to the Bundestag on 11 December 2024, which was brought to a vote on 16 December.{{cite web |title=Vertrauensfrage und vorzeitige Neuwahlen |trans-title=Vote of confidence and early [federal] elections |url=https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2024/kw47-vertrauensfrage-1030198 |date=22 November 2024 |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122235131/https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2024/kw47-vertrauensfrage-1030198 |archive-date=22 November 2024 |url-status=live}} The motion required an absolute majority of 367 yes votes to pass. This was not achieved, with 207 yes votes, 394 no votes, 116 abstentions, and 16 absent or not voting. Of those members who were present and voting, the SPD group unanimously voted for confidence, while all opposition groups except for three members from the AfD voted against confidence. All Green members abstained to ensure the motion would fail without voting against its coalition.{{cite web |title=Antrag gemäß Artikel 68 des Grundgesetzes (Vertrauensfrage) |trans-title=Motion pursuant to Article 68 of the Basic Law (vote of confidence) |url=https://www.bundestag.de/parlament/plenum/abstimmung/abstimmung?id=938 |date=16 December 2024 |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216173025/https://www.bundestag.de/parlament/plenum/abstimmung/abstimmung?id=938 |archive-date=16 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

After the vote's failure, Scholz went to Bellevue Palace to meet with President Steinmeier and recommend a dissolution. The governing parties and the CDU/CSU agreed that 23 February 2025 should be the date for the snap election. The president is not obliged to grant a dissolution, and the Basic Law allows him 21 days to decide. The president also has the sole authority to set the election date, though he agreed with the parties' proposal.{{Cite news |title=Einigung auf Neuwahl des Bundestags am 23. Februar |trans-title=Agreement on New Parliamentary Elections on 23 February |date=12 November 2024 |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/neuwahlen-termin-einigung-100.html |access-date=12 November 2024 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112103525/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/neuwahlen-termin-einigung-100.html |archive-date=12 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Neuwahlen sollen am 23. Februar stattfinden |trans-title=New elections are scheduled to take place on 23 February |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/neuwahlen-termin-einigung-100.html |access-date=12 November 2024 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112103525/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/neuwahlen-termin-einigung-100.html |archive-date=12 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=President calls German early election plan 'realistic' |url=https://www.dw.com/en/president-calls-german-early-election-plan-realistic/live-70763695 |access-date=12 November 2024 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114023424/https://www.dw.com/en/president-calls-german-early-election-plan-realistic/live-70763695 |archive-date=14 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Steinmeier first held discussions with all party leaders, as he has a constitutional duty to determine whether there is any possible majority in the current Bundestag. On 20 December, Steinmeier's office released a statement confirming that the talks were completed and that there was no possible majority.{{cite news |title=Auflösung des Bundestages: Steinmeier entscheidet am 27. Dezember |trans-title=Dissolution of the Bundestag: Steinmeier decides on 27 December |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/steinmeier-neuwahl-bundestag-aufloesung-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=20 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220120658/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/steinmeier-neuwahl-bundestag-aufloesung-100.html |archive-date=20 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Entscheidung über die Auflösung des Deutschen Bundestages gemäß Art. 68 des Grundgesetzes |trans-title=Decision on the dissolution of the German Bundestag according to Article 68 of the Basic Law |url=https://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2024/12/241220-Aufloesung-Bundestag.html |work=Bundespräsidialamt |date=20 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220112321/https://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2024/12/241220-Aufloesung-Bundestag.html |archive-date=20 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Steinmeier officially dissolved the Bundestag on 27 December, at the same time setting the election date as 23 February.{{cite news |title=Steinmeier verkündet Auflösung des Bundestages und Termin für Neuwahl |trans-title=Steinmeier announces dissolution of the Bundestag and date for new elections |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/steinmeier-neuwahl-102.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=27 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227104019/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/steinmeier-neuwahl-102.html |archive-date=27 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Germany's president dissolves parliament ahead of snap election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/27/germany-president-dissolves-parliament-snap-election |work=The Guardian |date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227132133/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/27/germany-president-dissolves-parliament-snap-election |archive-date=27 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=German president dissolves parliament for Feb. 23 snap elections |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-president-dissolves-parliament-pave-way-feb-23-snap-elections-2024-12-27/ |work=Reuters |date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227112957/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-president-dissolves-parliament-pave-way-feb-23-snap-elections-2024-12-27/ |archive-date=27 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

File:Stadt Hof, Stimmbezirk 18 20250223 HOF4349 RAW-Export.png

Germany has a mixed-member proportional electoral system, allowing representation both of local interests (299 single-member constituencies) and proportions of the vote given at party level. Voters have two votes: the first for an individual constituency representative, and the second for a party list.

In the first vote, voters indicate their choice of a single candidate to represent their constituency. Results are calculated on the first-past-the-post method, i.e. the candidate receiving the most votes is considered the winner. Previous to the 2025 election, the winner in each constituency was automatically elected to the Bundestag.

The second vote is the more significant one as voting for a party, more precisely the state-wide electoral list of that party, contributes to its national popularity share and is decisive for determining the partisan composition of the Bundestag. The number of second votes also determines the share of seats assigned to a state, as seats won by a party are proportionally distributed to each of its state lists.

To participate in the proportional allocation of seats, a party must either get five percent of the nationwide second vote or win three constituencies via first votes to pass the electoral threshold.{{Cite web |title=Wahlsystem der Bundestagswahl 2025 in Deutschland |url=https://www.wahlrecht.de/bundestag/ |access-date=17 February 2025 |work=Wahlrecht und Besonderheiten |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215080950/https://www.wahlrecht.de/bundestag |archive-date=15 February 2025}} Parties representing recognized minorities that contest federal elections, currently only the SSW, are exempt from the 5% threshold, but must still be proportionally entitled to a seat, in order to win representation.

Initially, in an overall distribution, all 630 seats (except those won by independent candidates) are allocated proportionally at the federal level to parties clearing the threshold, then subsequently to states, and within each party to its candidates in each state.{{Cite web |title=Bundeswahlgesetz - § 4 Grundsätze der Verteilung der Sitze auf Parteien |trans-title=Federal Electoral Law - Section 4 Principles of the distribution of seats among parties |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bwahlg/__4.html |access-date=3 January 2025 |work=Gesetze |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114132122/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bwahlg/__4.html |archive-date=14 January 2025 |url-status=live}} Both calculations are done using the Webster/Sainte-Laguë method. The number of constituencies each party wins in each state is subtracted from its allocation to arrive at the final number of list seats. The list seats won by each party are allocated using state-wide electoral list closed lists drawn up by each party within each state.

Independent candidates are elected if they receive a plurality of the vote in their constituency. The second votes of ballots on which a winning independent candidate is the first vote are not considered in the proportional distribution of seats to preserve voter equality. However, these votes are considered when determining whether a party has exceeded the 5% threshold.

Before the 2025 election, if a party won constituencies in a state exceeding its proportional entitlement, it could keep the so-called overhang seats, which consequently increase the size of the Bundestag. This problem was compounded by a 2008 ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court, and a subsequent electoral reform, which introduced leveling seats be added for other parties to keep the composition of the Bundestag proportional. Consequently, the 2017 and 2021 elections saw large numbers of additional seats.

After the 2021 election produced a Bundestag with 736 members{{snd}}making it the largest freely elected parliament in the world{{snd}}renewed debate began over the system that had been in place since the 2013 election. The Bundestag passed a reform law in March 2023 to fix the size of any future Bundestag at 630 members. It introduced two significant changes:

• The seat distribution would be determined solely through each party's share of the second vote ({{lang|de|Zweitstimmendeckung}}, "second vote coverage")
• The three-constituency rule ({{lang|de|Grundmandatsklausel}}, "basic mandate clause") was eliminated.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2024 |title=The 2023 Federal Elections Act is largely compatible with the Basic Law – only the 5% electoral threshold is currently unconstitutional, but it will continue to apply under certain conditions |url=https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/EN/2024/bvg24-064.html |access-date=8 March 2025 |work=Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court of Germany |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113073944/https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/EN/2024/bvg24-064.html|archive-date=13 November 2024|url-status=live}}

The principle of second vote coverage means that parties are no longer allowed to keep overhang seats; if a party wins overhang seats in a state, its constituency winners are excluded from the Bundestag in decreasing order of their first vote share.{{Cite web |author1=Frank Bräutigam |author2=Kolja Schwartz |title=Bundesverfassungsgericht kippt das neue Wahlrecht in Teilen |trans-title=Federal Constitutional Court overturns the new electoral law in parts |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/wahlrechtsreform-bundesverfassungsgericht-104.html |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730020825/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/wahlrechtsreform-bundesverfassungsgericht-104.html |url-status=live}} The three-constituency rule stipulates that if a party does not pass the 5% threshold but wins a plurality of votes in 3 constituencies, it is eligible for list seats. If a party wins one or two constituencies but does not pass the threshold – a scenario which has only happened once, to the PDS in 2002 – those winners are also now excluded and not elected as they would lack second vote coverage. However, the principle does not apply for independent candidates. If an independent wins a constituency (which has not happened since 1949), the candidate is still elected.

Both the CSU and The Left opposed these changes. In the 2021 election, The Left fell short of the five percent threshold but remained as a faction in the Bundestag because it won three constituencies. In contrast, the CSU barely crossed the threshold with 5.2% of the nationwide second vote while winning 45 of the 46 constituencies in Bavaria. The CSU was also the only party to win overhang seats in that election. Both parties appealed to President Steinmeier to veto the proposed changes; nevertheless, Steinmeier signed the bill after his office concluded it was constitutional.{{cite news |title=Steinmeier unterzeichnet Gesetz zur Wahlrechtsreform |trans-title=Mr. Steinmeier signs law on electoral reform |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundespraesident-steinmeier-unterzeichnet-gesetz-zur-wahlrechtsreform-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-230608-99-988572 |work=Süddeutsche Zeitung |date=8 June 2023 |language=de |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608201646/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundespraesident-steinmeier-unterzeichnet-gesetz-zur-wahlrechtsreform-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-230608-99-988572 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Kornmeier |first1=Claudia |title=Was das neue Wahlrecht vorsieht? |trans-title=What the new electoral law provides? |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/wahlrechtsreform-rechtliche-huerden-101.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=17 March 2023 |language=de |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608201645/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/wahlrechtsreform-rechtliche-huerden-101.html |url-status=live }} Both party organizations and the government of Bavaria, controlled by the CSU, filed formal complaints to the Federal Constitutional Court.{{cite news |title=Wahlrechtsreform: CSU und Freistaat Bayern klagen beim Bundesverfassungsgericht |trans-title=Electoral reforms: CSU and Free State of Bavaria file suit with the Federal Constitutional Court |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundesverfassungsgericht-csu-und-freistaat-bayern-klagen-gegen-wahlrechtsreform-a-0a54216e-0720-4f83-b447-bd954f10f06f |work=Der Spiegel |date=14 June 2023 |language=de |access-date=6 September 2023 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906182210/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundesverfassungsgericht-csu-und-freistaat-bayern-klagen-gegen-wahlrechtsreform-a-0a54216e-0720-4f83-b447-bd954f10f06f |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Lehmann |first1=Anna |title=Verkleinerung des Bundestages: Linke klagt gegen Wahlrechtsreform |trans-title=Reduction of the Bundestag: Left Party files suit against electoral reform |url=https://taz.de/Verkleinerung-des-Bundestages/!5941268/ |work=Die Tageszeitung |date=16 June 2023 |language=de |access-date=6 September 2023 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906182210/https://taz.de/Verkleinerung-des-Bundestages/!5941268/ |url-status=live }}

Hearings were held on 23 and 24 April 2024. On 30 July 2024, the court largely upheld the new electoral law. However, it ruled that a five-percent threshold without any exceptions is unconstitutional; though it recognized the threshold is necessary to prevent fragmentation, it held there must be measures to minimize wasted votes. To settle electoral law in sufficient time for this election, as an interim measure, the court re-introduced the basic mandate clause as it was "until there is a new regulation on the matter."{{cite web |title=Urteil vom 30. Juli 2024 |trans-title=Judgment of July 30, 2024 |url=https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Entscheidungen/DE/2024/07/fs20240730_2bvf000123.html |work=Bundesvefassungsgericht |language=de |date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730111848/https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Entscheidungen/DE/2024/07/fs20240730_2bvf000123.html |archive-date=30 July 2024 |url-status=live}} As such, a party getting a plurality of first votes in at least three constituencies would still enter the Bundestag, obtaining seats in proportion to its national second vote share.

{{see also|List of political parties in Germany}}

The table below lists the parties represented in the 20th Bundestag that was elected in 2021.

In contrast to the 2021 election, the Kanzlerfrage (chancellor question) for the CDU/CSU was resolved relatively quickly. After good performances for the CDU in the September 2024 state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, the two other prospective candidates{{snd}}North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and Bavaria Minister-President and CSU leader Markus Söder{{snd}}expressed their full support for Friedrich Merz.{{cite news |title=Kanzlerkandidatur: Prominenter Unionspolitiker erklärt Verzicht - wann gibt Söder auf? |trans-title=Candidacy for Chancellor: Prominent Union politician declares his resignation - when will Söder give up? |date=16 September 2024 |url=https://www.nn.de/politik/kanzlerkandidatur-prominenter-unionspolitiker-erklart-verzicht-wann-gibt-soder-auf-1.14420171 |work=www.nn.de |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916221504/https://www.nn.de/politik/kanzlerkandidatur-prominenter-unionspolitiker-erklart-verzicht-wann-gibt-soder-auf-1.14420171 |archive-date=16 September 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Söder bestätigt Verzicht: Merz wird Kanzlerkandidat der Union |trans-title=Söder confirms waiver: If Merz becomes Union's candidate for chancellorship |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/k-frage-union-merz-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=17 September 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917102658/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/k-frage-union-merz-100.html |archive-date=17 September 2024 |url-status=live}} Söder was thought to pursue another attempt at the nomination; many CDU rank-and-file, however, saw him in a negative light after a months-long battle with Armin Laschet for the nomination in 2021, followed by personal attacks on Laschet that were seen as undermining the Union campaign, as well as his categorical ruling-out of any coalition with the Greens after this election.{{cite news |last1=Wendler |first1=Achim |title=Warum Söders Kalkül nicht aufging? |trans-title=Why did Söder's calculation not work out?|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/soeder-merz-108.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=17 September 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001181432/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/soeder-merz-108.html |archive-date=1 October 2024 |url-status=live}} (The CSU has only provided the Union's lead candidate twice: in 1980 and 2002.)

At The Left's party convention in October, former lead candidate Gregor Gysi announced an effort called Mission Silberlocke ("Mission Silver Locks") to bolster the party's prospects in the face of infighting and faltering polling. Gysi committed to run for re-election in his constituency of Berlin-Treptow – Köpenick, with former parliamentary group leader Dietmar Bartsch running for a third time in Rostock – Landkreis Rostock II and former Minister-President of Thuringia Bodo Ramelow{{snd}}the only Left member to have led a state government{{snd}}contesting a Bundestag seat for the first time since 2005 in Erfurt – Weimar – Weimarer Land II. The goal is to capitalize on the three men's relatively high personal popularities and give The Left the best chance to win three constituencies and ensure they remain in the Bundestag. The effort is nicknamed in humorous reference to their advanced ages. Party co-leader Ines Schwerdtner is also running to replace the retiring longtime MdB Gesine Lötzsch in the stronghold of Berlin-Lichtenberg, and parliamentary co-leader Sören Pellmann is seeking re-election in Leipzig II, which are both seen as likely holds for The Left. Experts also rated Gysi and Ramelow as favorites to win their respective constituencies, which combined would retain the party's representation.{{cite news |title=Bundestagswahl: Ramelow, Gysi und Bartsch wollen mit "Mission Silberlocke" für Linke Direktmandate holen |trans-title=Federal election: Ramelow, Gysi and Bartsch want to win direct mandates for the Left with "Mission Silverlocke" |url=https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/politik/mission-silberlocke-ramelow-gysi-bartsch-linke-direktmandate-bundestagswahl-100.html |work=mdr.de |date=21 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121084939/https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/politik/mission-silberlocke-ramelow-gysi-bartsch-linke-direktmandate-bundestagswahl-100.html |archive-date=21 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Gysi, Ramelow, Bartsch: Mission: Mal kurz die Linken retten |trans-title=Gysi, Ramelow, Bartsch: Mission: Save the left for a moment |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/linke-silberlocke-grundmandatsklausel-100.html |work=ZDFheute |date=20 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123024955/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/linke-silberlocke-grundmandatsklausel-100.html |archive-date=23 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Jan van Aken was elected party co-chair alongside Schwerdtner on the same day; however, in November, van Aken and parliamentary co-leader Heidi Reichinnek were selected as The Left's dual lead candidacy for the campaign.{{cite news |title=Spitzenduo der Linken: Mit van Aken und Reichinnek in die Bundestagswahl |trans-title=Top dual candidates of the Left: With van Aken and Reichinnek in the federal election |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/fuehrungsduo-linke-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=10 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111011912/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/fuehrungsduo-linke-100.html |archive-date=11 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

In November, various SPD legislators and leading figures{{snd}}most prominently former party leader Sigmar Gabriel{{snd}}began publicly calling for Defence Minister Boris Pistorius to be designated the party's chancellor candidate owing to its and Scholz's poor polling.{{cite news |title=Scholz or Pistorius: Germany's SPD to discuss candidates|url=https://www.dw.com/en/scholz-or-pistorius-germanys-spd-to-discuss-candidates/a-70824568 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=19 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125092229/https://www.dw.com/en/scholz-or-pistorius-germanys-spd-to-discuss-candidates/a-70824568 |archive-date=25 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Polling for ARD showed Pistorius as the most favorably viewed national politician: 60% of voters thought he would be a good chancellor, compared to 42% for Merz and 21% for Scholz.{{cite web |last1=Riesewieck |first1=Florian |title=ARD-DeutschlandTrend: Die SPD und die K-Frage: Pistorius vor Scholz |trans-title=ARD-DeutschlandTrend: The SPD and the K-question: Pistorius ahead of Scholz |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/deutschlandtrend/deutschlandtrend-3446.html |work=Tagesschau|language=de |date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121170330/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/deutschlandtrend/deutschlandtrend-3446.html |archive-date=21 November 2024 |url-status=live}} In a video released on 21 November, Pistorius ended two weeks of public debate by disavowing any interest in running for chancellor and expressing his full support for Scholz.{{cite news |title=Pistorius wird nicht SPD-Kanzlerkandidat |trans-title=Pistorius will not be SPD candidate for chancellor |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/pistorius-verzicht-kanzlerkandidatur-spd-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=21 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121190124/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/pistorius-verzicht-kanzlerkandidatur-spd-100.html |archive-date=21 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Such a protracted and public debate, and party leadership's apparent inability to quickly control or restrain it, was seen as embarrassing and damaging; Jusos President Philipp Türmer directly called out party leaders Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil for the "shitshow" at their national congress the following weekend. Nonetheless, Scholz was unanimously renominated as chancellor candidate by the party's executive, a group which includes Pistorius, on 25 November.{{cite news |title=SPD: Olaf Scholz als Kanzlerkandidaten für Bundestagswahl 2025 nominiert |trans-title=SPD: Olaf Scholz nominated as candidate for chancellor for 2025 federal election |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/spd-olaf-scholz-als-kanzlerkandidat-fuer-bundestagswahl-2025-nominiert-a-2a06a71b-4daf-4bf9-994b-092b07fc6cdb |work=Der Spiegel |date=25 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125130500/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/spd-olaf-scholz-als-kanzlerkandidat-fuer-bundestagswahl-2025-nominiert-a-2a06a71b-4daf-4bf9-994b-092b07fc6cdb |archive-date=25 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Scholz's nomination was confirmed at a party congress on 11 January; as is usual for sitting chancellors, the vote was by acclamation rather than secret ballot, and he received little opposition.{{Cite web |title=SPD-Bundesparteitag bestätigt Olaf Scholz als Kanzlerkandidaten |trans-title=SPD confirms Olaf Scholz as candidate for chancellor |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/scholz-kanzlerkandidatur-bestaetigt-100.html |access-date=11 January 2025 |work=Tagesschau|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114223329/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/scholz-kanzlerkandidatur-bestaetigt-100.html |archive-date=14 January 2025 |url-status=live}}

On 17 November, the Greens nominated sitting vice chancellor Robert Habeck as its chancellor candidate. Habeck and foreign minister Annalena Baerbock remain their co-lead candidates, though Baerbock was the chancellor candidate in 2021. Habeck's campaign does not use the term chancellor candidate and instead refers to him as a "Candidate for the people in Germany" ({{lang|de|Kandidat für die Menschen in Deutschland}}). However, the media uses the usual term.{{cite news |title=Grüne stimmen für Robert Habeck als Kanzlerkandidat: 96,5 Prozent Zustimmung beim Parteitag |trans-title=Greens vote for Robert Habeck as candidate for chancellor: 96.5 percent approval at the party conference |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/gruene-stimmen-fuer-robert-habeck-als-kanzlerkandidat-96-5-prozent-zustimmung-beim-parteitag-a-2f777093-fa16-4529-b696-96009d374287 |work=Der Spiegel |date=17 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118014923/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/gruene-stimmen-fuer-robert-habeck-als-kanzlerkandidat-96-5-prozent-zustimmung-beim-parteitag-a-2f777093-fa16-4529-b696-96009d374287 |archive-date=18 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

On 7 December, the AfD executive nominated Alice Weidel as its chancellor candidate. This is the first time the party has referred to its leader as a chancellor candidate (Kanzlerkandidat). This term is normally reserved for the parties (SPD, Greens, and CDU/CSU) seen as having a realistic chance of becoming a senior coalition partner and providing a chancellor instead of the term lead candidate ({{lang|de|Spitzenkandidat/in}}) used for smaller parties. Because other parties refuse to work with it, its chances of entering government are unlikely.{{cite news |title=AfD-Spitze nominiert Weidel als Kanzlerkandidatin |trans-title=AfD leadership nominates Weidel as candidate for chancellor |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/afd-kanzlerkandidatin-weidel-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=7 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209171930/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/afd-kanzlerkandidatin-weidel-100.html |archive-date=9 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Germany: AfD leaders pick Weidel for chancellor candidate |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-afd-leaders-pick-weidel-for-chancellor-candidate/a-70349935 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927165139/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-afd-leaders-pick-weidel-for-chancellor-candidate/a-70349935 |archive-date=27 September 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=German far-right AfD party taps Alice Weidel as chancellor candidate |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/alternative-for-germany-far-right-party-afd-taps-alice-weidel-chancellor-candidate/ |work=POLITICO |date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207110901/https://www.politico.eu/article/alternative-for-germany-far-right-party-afd-taps-alice-weidel-chancellor-candidate/ |archive-date=7 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

The BSW also nominated Sahra Wagenknecht as a chancellor candidate on 16 December. General Secretary Christian Heye flatly conceded that the party, polling between four and eight percent at the time, had no chance of providing a chancellor and said: "We are neither imagining things nor are we megalomaniacal." He blamed the "inflation" of the term's usage in forcing their hand; he further noted that parties without a Chancellor candidate faced disadvantages, such as no invitations to certain televised debates (most of which were held only between formal Chancellor candidates).{{cite news |title=Sahra Wagenknecht wird Kanzlerkandidatin des BSW |trans-title=Sahra Wagenknecht becomes BSW's candidate for chancellor |url=https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/politik/sahra-wagenknecht-bsw-kanzlerkandidatin-100.html |work=MDR aktuell |date=16 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216214436/https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/politik/sahra-wagenknecht-bsw-kanzlerkandidatin-100.html |archive-date=16 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Candidates of the 2025 German federal election}}

A total of 41 parties have been approved to run in this election. A special case is "the Union" in which, due to a parallel development after World War II, the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) only competes in Bavaria while the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) runs in all states except Bavaria. Since the late 1940s, the CDU and CSU form a long-standing alliance of conservative parties in Germany. Both parties always have a joint leading candidate and have a joint parliamentary group in the Bundestag, the CDU/CSU. Both parties run separately, though, and CSU has to pass the nationwide 5% threshold by itself. Their results are usually shown in added form after elections and in polls.

Automatic nationwide approval is granted to so-called "established parties": those that have been continuously represented in the Bundestag with at least five members since the previous election (SPD, CDU and CSU, Greens, FDP, AfD, and Left) or those that have been continuously represented in any state parliament with at least five members since that state's last election (Alliance Germany, BSW, and Free Voters). These parties also do not need to submit signatures to support their nominations.{{cite web |title=42 Parteien können an der Bundestagswahl 2025 teilnehmen |trans-title= |url=https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/info/presse/mitteilungen/bundestagswahl-2025/06_25_ergebnisse_1bwa.html |work=Die Bundeswahlleiterin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115081641/https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/info/presse/mitteilungen/bundestagswahl-2025/06_25_ergebnisse_1bwa.html |archive-date=15 January 2025 |url-status=live}}

Other political organizations constitute "non-established parties" and must petition the Federal Electoral Committee for approval to run in the election. The committee must determine whether these organizations meet the definition of a political party set forth by section 2 of the Political Parties Act: that it desires to influence politics and obtain parliamentary representation "either permanently or for an extended period", and in particular, that its "scope and stability...its number of members, and public profile provide sufficient guarantees of the seriousness of this objective". In addition, most of its members and board of directors must be German citizens, based in and managed from within the country.{{cite web |title=Gesetz über die politischen Parteien (Parteiengesetz) - 2 Begriff der Partei |trans-title=Law on Political Parties (Party Law) - 2 Definition of Party |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/partg/__2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114225841/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/partg/__2.html |archive-date=14 January 2025 |work=Gesetze |language=de}}

Thirty-one parties were approved but must submit signatures to support their nominations. Constituency nominations require 200 signatures of eligible voters residing within its boundaries. The number of signatures needed to file a state list is set at 0.1% of the state's eligible voting population at the previous election, with a maximum of 2,000.{{cite web |title=Unterstützungsunterschriften |trans-title=Signatures of support |url=https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/service/glossar/u/unterstuetzungsunterschriften.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115001954/https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/service/glossar/u/unterstuetzungsunterschriften.html |archive-date=15 January 2025 |work=Die Bundeswahlleiterin}} The 2023 electoral reform law added the restriction that parties can only run constituency candidates in states where it has a state list.

The committee also determined the validity of a party's claim to represent a recognized minority, which not only exempts them from the five-percent hurdle but also the requirement to submit signatures. The SSW's claim was approved, while the claim of Die Sonstigen ("The Others") was not approved.

On 22 January, Table.Media reported that an FDP member submitted complaints against the validity of 14 of the party's state lists (in all states except Berlin and Lower Saxony), alleging that voting on nominations was not conducted by secret ballot as required by federal law. Instead of filling out a pre-printed ballot, delegates wrote "yes", "no", "abstention", or a candidate's name on a blank sheet of paper while in their seats, which the complaint argued could lead to the ballot being seen by others or the delegate being identified by their handwriting. The electoral committees of several states confirmed they were investigating a complaint, while federal party leaders denied any laws were broken.{{cite news |date=22 January 2025 |title=Bundestagswahl 2025: Landeswahlleiter prüfen Beschwerden gegen FDP-Landeslisten |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/bundestagswahl-2025-landeswahlleiter-pruefen-beschwerden-gegen-fdp-landeslisten-a-cba68dd9-e0ea-4a8c-9e4f-e96723a830b4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125161718/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/bundestagswahl-2025-landeswahlleiter-pruefen-beschwerden-gegen-fdp-landeslisten-a-cba68dd9-e0ea-4a8c-9e4f-e96723a830b4 |archive-date=25 January 2025 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de}} All of the FDP's lists were ultimately approved. The state returning officer of Hesse, in calling the complaint "far-fetched", pointed to a 2017 court case that found that a minimum level of secrecy (e.g., getting up from one's seat or covering one's ballot with a hand) is sufficient in internal party votes.{{cite news |last1=Türk |first1=Wolfgang |date=22 January 2025 |title=Bundestagswahl 2025: Landeswahlleiter dämpft Wirbel um FDP-Kandidatenliste |url=https://www.hessenschau.de/politik/bundestagswahl/bundestagswahl-2025-landeswahlleiter-daempft-wirbel-um-fdp-kandidatenliste-v1,fdp-liste-bundestagswahl-100.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127154331/https://www.hessenschau.de/politik/bundestagswahl/bundestagswahl-2025-landeswahlleiter-daempft-wirbel-um-fdp-kandidatenliste-v1,fdp-liste-bundestagswahl-100.html |archive-date=27 January 2025 |work=hessenschau.de |language=de}}

Ultimately, 29 of the 41 parties approved to run in the election submitted a valid state list in at least one state.{{Cite web |title=29 Parteien nehmen an der Bundestagswahl 2025 teil |work=Die Bundeswahlleiterin |url=https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/info/presse/mitteilungen/bundestagswahl-2025/10_25_parteien-wahlteilnahme.html |access-date=1 February 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131221852/https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/info/presse/mitteilungen/bundestagswahl-2025/10_25_parteien-wahlteilnahme.html |archive-date=31 January 2025 |language=de}} In the table below, green indicates a party's state list has been approved, while red indicates a state list has been rejected. The number in each box indicates how many direct candidates the party ran in the indicated state. Parties are ordered by their results in the 2021 election, then alphabetically.

On 15 November 2024, the newspapers Die Zeit and Süddeutsche Zeitung independently reported that the collapse of the traffic light coalition on 6 November was the result of a deliberate strategy in which the FDP had been planning its exit from the alliance for several weeks.{{cite news |last1=Krach |first1=Wolfgang |last2=Mascolo |first2=Georg |last3=Richter |first3=Nicolas |last4=Roßbach |first4=Henrike |title=Operation "D-Day": FDP-Spitze plante wochenlang den Bruch der Ampelkoalition |trans-title=Operation "D-Day": How the FDP leadership planned the end of the traffic light coalition over several weeks |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/fdp-lindner-scholz-ampel-koalition-lux.6WfirtdT6NbfwMKj4a3hkq |work=Süddeutsche.de |date=15 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115221437/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/fdp-lindner-scholz-ampel-koalition-lux.6WfirtdT6NbfwMKj4a3hkq |archive-date=15 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Pausch |first1=Robert |title=Das liberale Drehbuch für den Regierungssturz |trans-title=The liberal scripts for the overthrow of the government |url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2024-11/christian-lindner-ampel-aus-fdp-bundesregierung |work=Die Zeit |date=15 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115180850/https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2024-11/christian-lindner-ampel-aus-fdp-bundesregierung |archive-date=15 November 2024 |url-status=live}} They reported on the existence of a detailed working paper that used controversial militaristic language: the 18-page economic report that resulted in Lindner's firing was called "the torpedo", and the upcoming election campaign was described as an "open battle". Most contentious was that the day of the report's publication was referred to as "D-Day"{{snd}}which in German is used exclusively to refer to the Allied invasion of Normandy and has a violent connotation. Using the language of war to refer to the political process led to heavy criticism.{{cite news |last1=Zimmermann |first1=Jan |title=Wie die "D-Day"-Affäre der FDP schadet |trans-title=How the "D-Day" affair is damaging the FDP |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/fdp-djir-sarai-ampelaus-dday-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=29 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130011156/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/fdp-djir-sarai-ampelaus-dday-100.html |archive-date=30 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Germany's liberals descend into crisis as 'D-Day' paper reveals plot to blow up coalition |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-liberal-fdp-crisis-d-day-paper-reveal-plot-coalition/ |first=Nette|last=Nöstlinger|work=Politico |date=29 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130172044/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-liberal-fdp-crisis-d-day-paper-reveal-plot-coalition/ |archive-date=30 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

This also contradicted Lindner's assertion that the end of the government was a "calculated break" on the part of Scholz. Criticism came from the SPD upon the revelation that their coalition partner had not acted in good faith for weeks: parliamentary leader Rolf Mützenich described himself as "feeling deceived and disappointed" and "horrified" by the controversial language.{{cite news |title=Berichte über inszenierten Ampelbruch: FDP-Chef Lindner wiegelt Vorwürfe ab |trans-title= |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/christian-lindner-fdp-chef-wiegelt-vorwurf-des-geplanten-ampel-bruchs-ab-a-d62745c4-3b5b-46ea-a625-cfc216c813ab |work=Der Spiegel |date=17 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118014559/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/christian-lindner-fdp-chef-wiegelt-vorwurf-des-geplanten-ampel-bruchs-ab-a-d62745c4-3b5b-46ea-a625-cfc216c813ab |archive-date=18 November 2024 |url-status=live}} In an 18 November interview with RTL and n-tv, FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai denied using the term "D-Day" and stated the party's leadership was unaware of the paper. Lindner did not deny the paper's existence but replied to reporters: "We are in a campaign. Where is the news here?"

Media speculation continued as to what degree the FDP was responsible for the coalition's end. On the morning of 28 November, the online news portal Table.Media published excerpts of an eight-page document alleged to be the working paper; it was indeed titled "D-Day Scenarios and Actions" and laid out a strategy as detailed as the original reporting surmised, including strategies to undermine the coalition, communication tactics, and pre-written quotations for Lindner. SZ confronted party leaders with the excerpts and gave them a 1:30 p.m. deadline to respond to questions. The party did not, but instead officially released the full paper at 6 p.m. with a statement from Djir-Sarai claiming it was "to prevent false impressions ... of the paper" by the media.{{cite news |title=FDP veröffentlicht »D-Day«-Papier |trans-title=FDP publishes "D-Day" paper |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/ampel-aus-fdp-veroeffentlicht-d-day-papier-a-c7bfe01d-9251-48c0-9a3d-c1fd48913b9b |work=Der Spiegel |date=28 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129100829/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/ampel-aus-fdp-veroeffentlicht-d-day-papier-a-c7bfe01d-9251-48c0-9a3d-c1fd48913b9b |archive-date=29 November 2024 |url-status=live }}

According to the party, the paper was first prepared by Federal Managing Director Carsten Reymann on 24 October "to deal with the questions surrounding how the exit of the FDP from the government could be communicated", and the "purely technical paper" was not presented to legislators or government members.{{cite web |title=Transparenz: Erklärung des Bundesgeschäftsführers der FDP |trans-title=Transparency: Statement by the Federal Executive Director of the FDP |url=https://www.fdp.de/erklaerung-des-bundesgeschaeftsfuehrers-der-fdp |work=FDP |language=de |date=28 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128171208/https://www.fdp.de/erklaerung-des-bundesgeschaeftsfuehrers-der-fdp |archive-date=28 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Djir-Sarai and Reymann resigned the next day to take responsibility for the paper's contents. SPD acting general secretary Matthias Miersch described Djir-Sarai as "a transparent scapegoat" to protect Lindner and called it "unimaginable" that the party leader would not know of the paper's existence.{{cite news |title=Reaktionen auf FDP-Beben: »Bijan Djir-Sarais Rücktritt ist ein durchschaubares Bauernopfer« |trans-title=Reactions to FDP earthquake: "Bijan Djir-Sarai's resignation is a transparent pawn sacrifice" |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/reaktionen-auf-fdp-beben-bijan-djir-sarais-ruecktritt-ist-ein-durchschaubares-bauernopfer-a-a8993084-b6e3-42fe-94d2-daef7fecb3f9 |work=Der Spiegel |date=29 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129165300/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/reaktionen-auf-fdp-beben-bijan-djir-sarais-ruecktritt-ist-ein-durchschaubares-bauernopfer-a-a8993084-b6e3-42fe-94d2-daef7fecb3f9 |archive-date=29 November 2024 |url-status=live}} In a written statement released that evening, Lindner again denied any knowledge of the paper and stated he would not have approved of it and that it was only circulated among internal party staffers and not any elected officials.{{cite news |last1=Kulessa |first1=David |last2=Tausche |first2=Nadja |title="D-Day"-Plan der FDP: Lindner distanziert sich von Strategiepapier |trans-title=FDP's "D-Day" plan: Lindner distances himself from strategy paper |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/fdp-ruecktritt-d-day-reaktionen-lindner-djir-sarai-spd-miersch-scholz-lux.WStdjWSedGxxMazh8qQ9Tn |work=Süddeutsche.de |date=29 November 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130012135/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/fdp-ruecktritt-d-day-reaktionen-lindner-djir-sarai-spd-miersch-scholz-lux.WStdjWSedGxxMazh8qQ9Tn |archive-date=30 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

Marco Buschmann, who served as justice minister until the traffic light coalition's collapse, was appointed to succeed Djir-Sarai as general secretary of the FDP on 1 December.{{cite news |title=Former justice minister to lead Germany's free-market FDP |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-justice-minister-lead-germanys-131307956.html |work=Yahoo News |agency=DPA |date=1 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204172218/https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-justice-minister-lead-germanys-131307956.html |archive-date=4 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

The political parties released manifestos.{{Cite web |last1=Herbst |first1=Ann-Kristin |last2=Grasnick |first2=Belinda |last3=Kumpfmüller |first3=Konstantin |date=6 February 2025 |title=Welche Partei passt zu Ihnen? Ein Vergleich der Wahlprogramme |trans-title=Which party suits you? A comparison of the election manifestos |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/programmvergleich |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206230444/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/programmvergleich |archive-date=6 February 2025 |url-status=live}} The CDU proposed support for Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=CDU plans to move Germany to the right on immigration, manifesto says |url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/17/german-election-cdu-manifesto-proposes-rightward-shift-on-migration-and-strong-support-for |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=Euronews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206231219/https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/17/german-election-cdu-manifesto-proposes-rightward-shift-on-migration-and-strong-support-for |archive-date=6 February 2025 |url-status=live}} The FDP proposed pension reform.{{Cite web |title=German election 2025: What's in the party programs? |date=17 December 2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-2025-whats-in-the-party-programs/a-71083928 |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206230854/https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-2025-whats-in-the-party-programs/a-71083928 |archive-date=6 February 2025 |url-status=live}} The Greens proposed support for immigrants.{{Cite web |date=5 February 2025 |title=German elections: What do the Greens say in their manifesto about migration? |url=https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/62634/german-elections-what-do-the-greens-say-in-their-manifesto-about-migration |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=InfoMigrants |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206231253/https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/62634/german-elections-what-do-the-greens-say-in-their-manifesto-about-migration |archive-date=6 February 2025 |url-status=live}} {{lang|de|Die Linke|italic=no}} proposed a return to their roots of democratic socialism following the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance split.{{Cite news |author=Scally, Derek|date=6 February 2025|title=After the split, Germany's Left party goes back to basics in bid to rise again |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2025/02/05/after-the-split-germanys-left-party-goes-back-to-basics-in-bid-to-rise-again/ |access-date=6 February 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206231513/https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2025/02/05/after-the-split-germanys-left-party-goes-back-to-basics-in-bid-to-rise-again/ |archive-date=6 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Wind energy has been a policy.{{Cite web |title=Does Germany need wind power?|date=22 January 2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-dependence-on-wind-energy/a-71325146 |access-date=6 February 2025|work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127105602/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-dependence-on-wind-energy/a-71325146 |archive-date=27 January 2025 |url-status=live}}

Immediately after the confidence vote's failure, public broadcasters ARD and ZDF announced their plans to hold two debates featuring chancellor candidates from four parties. Scholz and Merz were invited to a debate on 9 February, while Habeck and Weidel were invited to a separate face-off on 10 February. This represented a change from the 2021 campaign, when ARD and ZDF held a three-way debate between the Union, SPD and Green chancellor candidates. Representatives of AfD and the Greens complained about their candidates' exclusions and claimed the public broadcasters had been biased in their decision. Habeck's campaign spokesperson announced he would decline the invitation and accused ARD and ZDF of "intervening" in the campaign in favor of the two established parties. Weidel's spokesperson demanded her inclusion in a three-way debate based on the AfD's second place in opinion polls and said the party was reviewing legal action against the broadcasters. Lindner and Wagenknecht offered to take Habeck's place in the second debate.{{cite news |date=17 December 2024 |title=Kanzlerduelle: Grüne wütend auf ARD und ZDF – AfD prüft gar Klage |trans-title=Chancellor's debate: Greens angry at ARD and ZDF – AfD even considering legal action |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/bundestagswahl/article254894406/Kanzlerduelle-Gruene-wuetend-auf-ARD-und-ZDF-AfD-prueft-gar-Klage.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217172020/https://www.welt.de/politik/bundestagswahl/article254894406/Kanzlerduelle-Gruene-wuetend-auf-ARD-und-ZDF-AfD-prueft-gar-Klage.html |archive-date=17 December 2024 |work=Die Welt |language=de}}{{cite news |title=Wahlkampf in Deutschland: Robert Habeck will nicht an TV-Duell mit Alice Weidel teilnehmen |trans-title=Election campaign in Germany: Robert Habeck does not want to take part in TV debate with Alice Weidel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/wahlkampf-in-deutschland-robert-habeck-gruene-will-nicht-an-tv-duell-mit-alice-weidel-afd-teilnehmen-a-fdc7cf8e-388d-43c9-85a0-6549d1f7e740 |work=Der Spiegel |date=18 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218004346/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/wahlkampf-in-deutschland-robert-habeck-gruene-will-nicht-an-tv-duell-mit-alice-weidel-afd-teilnehmen-a-fdc7cf8e-388d-43c9-85a0-6549d1f7e740 |archive-date=18 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=18 December 2024 |title=Spitzenkandidaten: Habeck lehnt TV-Duell mit Weidel ab |trans-title=Lead candidates: Habeck rejects TV debate with Weidel |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/kanzlerkandidaten-tv-duell-zdf-ard-habeck-weidel-100.html |work=ZDFheute |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218004346/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/wahlkampf-in-deutschland-robert-habeck-gruene-will-nicht-an-tv-duell-mit-alice-weidel-afd-teilnehmen-a-fdc7cf8e-388d-43c9-85a0-6549d1f7e740 |archive-date=18 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

On 18 December, Table.Media reported that Scholz had agreed to participate in the ARD–ZDF debate on the condition that he would face off only against Merz, which was accepted by the public broadcasters. Green chief whip Irene Mihalic demanded an explanation from the broadcasters. An ARD spokesperson denied the report and claimed there was no influence by politicians or conditions involved in the decision. According to the spokesperson, the two-way debate would feature the incumbent and the challenger with the best chances to succeed him.{{cite news |title=Setzte Scholz die Sender unter Druck?: Grüne fordern Aufklärung über Entstehung des TV-Duells |trans-title=Did Scholz put pressure on the broadcasters?: Greens demand clarification on the origins of the TV duel |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/setzte-scholz-die-sender-unter-druck-grune-fordern-aufklarung-uber-entstehung-des-tv-duells-12894508.html |work=Der Tagesspiegel |date=18 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218101439/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/setzte-scholz-die-sender-unter-druck-grune-fordern-aufklarung-uber-entstehung-des-tv-duells-12894508.html |archive-date=18 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Habeck declined his invitation in writing to ARD on 20 December, and the broadcasters cancelled the planned second debate.{{cite news |title=Nach Habeck-Absage: ARD und ZDF sagen zweites TV-Duell ab |trans-title=After Habeck's cancellation: ARD and ZDF cancel second TV debate |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/tv-duell-habeck-weidel-ard-zdf-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |date=20 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220150050/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/tv-duell-habeck-weidel-ard-zdf-100.html |archive-date=20 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

The broadcasters also announced plans for two further four-way interview programmes. Scholz, Merz, Habeck and Weidel would separately face questions from an audience in two programmes to be held on 13 and 17 February.{{cite news |title=Weitere TV-Runden bei ARD und ZDF: Nun doch alle vier Kanzlerkandidaten im Direkt-Duell |trans-title=Further TV rounds on ARD and ZDF: Now all four candidates for chancellor in direct debate |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/nach-kritik-am-kanzler-duell-ard-und-zdf-planen-weitere-tv-runden-vor-bundestagswahl-12904843.html |work=Tagesspiegel |date=19 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219150551/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/nach-kritik-am-kanzler-duell-ard-und-zdf-planen-weitere-tv-runden-vor-bundestagswahl-12904843.html |archive-date=19 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Mantel |first=Uwe |date=19 December 2024 |title=Was ARD und ZDF abseits des TV-Duells zur Wahl planen |trans-title=What ARD and ZDF are planning for the election beyond the TV debate? |url=https://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/100884/was_ard_und_zdf_abseits_des_tvduells_zur_wahl_planen/ |access-date=20 December 2024 |work=DWDL|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219135008/https://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/100884/was_ard_und_zdf_abseits_des_tvduells_zur_wahl_planen/ |archive-date=19 December 2024 |url-status=live}} They will also preside over their usual "closing roundtable" ({{lang|de|Schlussrunde}}) with the leaders of all parties currently represented in the Bundestag on 20 February.{{cite news |last1=Scheiwe |first1=Hannah |title=ARD, ZDF, RTL: TV-Duell statt -Triell mit Habeck - das steckt dahinter |trans-title=ARD, ZDF, RTL: TV debate instead of trial with Habeck - this is what is behind it? |url=https://www.rnd.de/medien/ard-zdf-rtl-tv-duell-statt-triell-mit-habeck-das-steckt-dahinter-3QTCEJTT2REWBBOBYXWJGGPP6A.html |work=RND |date=17 December 2024 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217172020/https://www.welt.de/politik/bundestagswahl/article254894406/Kanzlerduelle-Gruene-wuetend-auf-ARD-und-ZDF-AfD-prueft-gar-Klage.html |archive-date=17 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

RTL also announced plans for a debate between Merz and Scholz on the Sunday before the proposed election date. The channel ultimately plans two additional head-to-head debates between other parties' leading candidates on the same night. A spokesperson for the broadcaster said: "We are convinced that one debate with the current five chancellor candidates would be nothing more than a talk show". The Left, which was not invited, stated it was considering legal action against its omission. RTL claimed in a statement that The Left had not been invited due to trailing in opinion polls behind the other parties.{{Cite web |date=22 November 2024 |title=RTL schließt Linke bei TV-Wahlduellen aus, Partei droht mit Klage |trans-title=RTL excludes Left Party from TV election debates, party threatens legal action |url=https://www.rnd.de/medien/rtl-schliesst-linke-bei-tv-wahlduellen-aus-partei-droht-mit-klage-TNJ76J7YRVBJXGMHPEWFQFMYN4.html |access-date=20 December 2024 |work=RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122030535/https://www.rnd.de/medien/rtl-schliesst-linke-bei-tv-wahlduellen-aus-partei-droht-mit-klage-TNJ76J7YRVBJXGMHPEWFQFMYN4.html |archive-date=22 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

Axel Springer SE media brands Welt and Bild announced a joint debate between Scholz and Merz to be held on 19 February, the last Wednesday before the election.{{Cite web |last=Krei |first=Alexander |date=10 January 2025 |title=Scholz und Merz duellieren sich auch bei "Bild" und "Welt" |trans-title=Scholz and Merz also debate in "Bild" and "Welt" |url=https://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/101063/scholz_und_merz_duellieren_sich_auch_bei_bild_und_welt/ |access-date=11 January 2025 |work=DWDL|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111063619/https://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/101063/scholz_und_merz_duellieren_sich_auch_bei_bild_und_welt/ |archive-date=11 January 2025 |url-status=live}}

ProSiebenSat.1 Media was the final major broadcaster to announce a debate or interview program, scheduling what it calls "citizen speed dating" on the night before the election. Ten voters are given three minutes each to ask the four leading candidates their questions.{{cite news |title=Fernsehen: Wahlkampf bei Sat.1 und ProSieben: Bürger fragen Politiker |trans-title=Election campaign at Sat.1 and ProSieben: Citizens ask politicians |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/gesellschaft/fernsehen-wahlkampf-bei-sat1-und-prosieben-burger-fragen-politiker-13059814.html |work=Der Tagesspiegel |date=21 January 2025 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122183842/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/gesellschaft/fernsehen-wahlkampf-bei-sat1-und-prosieben-burger-fragen-politiker-13059814.html |archive-date=22 January 2025}}

{{Inc-tv|date=February 2025}}

{{see also|German governing coalition}}

{{Update|part=section|date=February 2025|reason=Update of multiple paragraphs needed following final results of the election}}

A renewal of the outgoing traffic light coalition was not deemed desirable by any of the three parties. Lindner of the FDP categorically disavowed any prospects of his party joining such a coalition in November following his removal from the government if his party entered the Bundestag again.{{cite web|access-date=16 November 2024 |date=10 November 2024 |language=de |title=Lindner schließt erneute Ampel-Koalition kategorisch aus |trans-title=Lindner categorically rules out another traffic light coalition |url=https://www.stern.de/news/lindner-schliesst-erneute-ampel-koalition-kategorisch-aus-35215556.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111050602/https://www.stern.de/news/lindner-schliesst-erneute-ampel-koalition-kategorisch-aus-35215556.html |archive-date=11 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|access-date=16 November 2024 |date=12 November 2024 |language=de |title=Neuwahl des Bundestages: Welche Koalitionsoptionen bleiben? |url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/neuwahl-des-bundestages-welche-koalitionsoptionen-bleiben,UTqHFnH |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112051050/https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/neuwahl-des-bundestages-welche-koalitionsoptionen-bleiben,UTqHFnH |archive-date=12 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

A government led by the CDU/CSU was seen as most likely, given it held a large polling lead.{{cite web|access-date=16 November 2024 |date=16 November 2024 |language=de |title=Neue Umfrage zeigt kaum Optionen für Merz: Steht die neue Koalition bereits fest? |trans-title=New poll shows few options for Merz: Is the new coalition already decided? |url=https://www.merkur.de/politik/neue-umfrage-zeigt-kaum-optionen-fuer-merz-steht-die-neue-koalition-bereits-fest-zr-93415815.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116155640/https://www.merkur.de/politik/neue-umfrage-zeigt-kaum-optionen-fuer-merz-steht-die-neue-koalition-bereits-fest-zr-93415815.html |archive-date=16 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Merz was seen as willing to discuss a coalition with the SPD, FDP and Greens; however, CSU leader Söder has openly refused to enter a government with the Greens. Representatives of both parties have stated that a black–green coalition would be difficult to manage.{{cite web|access-date=16 November 2024 |date=11 November 2024 |language=de |title="Wer weiß": Söders Nein zu Schwarz-Grün klingt nun etwas anders |trans-title="Who knows": Söder's no to black-green now sounds a little different |url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/soeders-nein-zu-schwarz-gruen-klingt-nun-etwas-anders,UTXgJoh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111160844/https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/soeders-nein-zu-schwarz-gruen-klingt-nun-etwas-anders,UTXgJoh |archive-date=11 November 2024 |url-status=live}} A fifth grand coalition in Germany's history between the CDU and SPD can thus be considered the most realistic outcome of government formation.{{cite news |last1=Bokeloh |first1=Philip |title=Publication 22 January 202516:15 pm Preview German elections: 'Grand coalition' most likely result |url=https://www.abnamro.com/research/en/our-research/preview-german-elections-grand-coalition-most-likely-result |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Abnamro |date=22 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204105538/https://www.abnamro.com/research/en/our-research/preview-german-elections-grand-coalition-most-likely-result |archive-date=4 February 2025}}{{cite news |title=SPD stellt nach Merz' Wortbruch mögliche Koalition infrage |trans-title=SPD questions possible coalition after Merz's breach of promise |url=https://www.n-tv.de/politik/SPD-stellt-nach-Merz-Wortbruch-moegliche-Koalition-infrage-article25534092.html |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=N-TV |date=3 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204105644/https://www.n-tv.de/politik/SPD-stellt-nach-Merz-Wortbruch-moegliche-Koalition-infrage-article25534092.html |archive-date=4 February 2025 |language=de}} Such a coalition was also preferred by the voters, being the most popular government arrangement in opinion polling.{{cite news |last1=Jalunina |first1=Jekaterina |title=Mit wem soll Merz regieren? Wähler haben in Umfrage klare Meinung – CDU-Chef schließt eine Option aus |trans-title=Who should Merz govern with? Voters have a clear opinion in survey – CDU leader rules out one option |url=https://www.merkur.de/politik/soll-bundestagswahl-2025-umfrage-zeigt-mit-wem-merz-regieren-93548852.html |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=Merkur |date=3 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204105940/https://www.merkur.de/politik/merz-regieren-soll-bundestagswahl-2025-umfrage-zeigt-mit-wem-93548852.html |archive-date=4 February 2025 |language=de}}{{cite news |last1=Grimm |first1=Robert |title=Kanzlerfrage und Koalitionspräferenzen: Merz an der Spitze, GroKo unbeliebt, aber bevorzugtes Regierungsbündnis |trans-title=Chancellor question and coalition preferences: Merz at the top, Grand Coalition's unpopular, but preferred |url=https://www.ipsos.com/de-de/meinungsumfragen/kanzlerfrage-2025 |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=Ipsos |date=29 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204110032/https://www.ipsos.com/de-de/meinungsumfragen/kanzlerfrage-2025 |archive-date=4 February 2025 |language=de}} However, Söder stipulated that he would only support the black-red{{cite news |last1=Zeller |first1=Frank |title=Cheat sheet on Germany's colour-coded politics |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cheat-sheet-germanys-colour-coded-032839861.html |access-date=3 February 2025 |agency=Yahoo! News |date=23 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123034937/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cheat-sheet-germanys-colour-coded-032839861.html |archive-date=23 January 2025 }} alliance so long as incumbent SPD chancellor Scholz is not included in the next cabinet.{{cite web|access-date=16 November 2024 |language=de |title=CSU-Chef Söder sieht einzig die SPD ohne Scholz als Koalitionspartner |trans-title=CSU leader Söder sees only the SPD without Scholz as a coalition partner |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/soeder-union-koalition-spd-100.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110150651/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/soeder-union-koalition-spd-100.html |archive-date=10 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Scholz indicated his intention to step down from leadership post-election and be uninvolved in coalition formation, paving the way for negotiations on a grand coalition.{{cite web |last1=Boutelet |first1=Cecile |title=Germany's Social Democrats turn page on defeated Scholz |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/02/24/germany-s-social-democrats-turn-page-on-defeated-scholz_6738508_4.html |work=Le Monde |date=24 February 2025 |access-date=25 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224154152/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/02/24/germany-s-social-democrats-turn-page-on-defeated-scholz_6738508_4.html |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

FDP leader Lindner had indicated his desire to form a government with the CDU/CSU, a frequent coalition throughout modern German history and last represented in the second Merkel cabinet.{{Cite news |date=3 January 2025 |title=FDP: Christian Lindner drängt Union zu exklusivem Bündnis nach Bundestagswahl |trans-title=FDP: Christian Lindner urges Union to form exclusive alliance after federal election |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2025-christian-lindner-draengt-union-zu-exklusivem-buendnis-mit-der-fdp-a-2a6d9aaf-848d-440d-9d93-1ed8e559d676 |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103135753/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2025-christian-lindner-draengt-union-zu-exklusivem-buendnis-mit-der-fdp-a-2a6d9aaf-848d-440d-9d93-1ed8e559d676 |archive-date=3 January 2025 |url-status=live}} Merz stated that only if the FDP's polling figures increased to six or seven percent would "a stable majority be in reach". FDP Bundestag Vice-President Wolfgang Kubicki has supported a black-red-yellow "Germany coalition", including the SPD.{{cite web|access-date=27 December 2024 |date=27 December 2024 |language=de |title=Kubicki ist offen für Deutschland-Koalition und rechnet mit deutlichem Ergebnis |trans-title=Kubicki is open to a German coalition and expects a clear result |url=https://web.de/magazine/politik/wahlen/bundestagswahl/kubicki-offen-deutschland-koalition-rechnet-deutlichem-ergebnis-40499384 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227112552/https://web.de/magazine/politik/wahlen/bundestagswahl/kubicki-offen-deutschland-koalition-rechnet-deutlichem-ergebnis-40499384 |archive-date=27 December 2024 |url-status=live}} The FDP failed to reach the 5% necessary for Bundestag representation, and discussions on the idea were rendered moot.

Difficulty in predicting coalitions before the elections came due to the fact that the BSW, FDP, and Linke were all polling around 5% shortly before the election, while the Free Voters were well below 5%.{{Cite news |last=Henley |first=Jon |date=23 January 2025 |title=Germany's election: who are the key players and what is at stake? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/23/germany-election-who-are-the-key-players-and-what-is-at-stake |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123112503/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/23/germany-election-who-are-the-key-players-and-what-is-at-stake |archive-date=23 January 2025 |url-status=live}} In the end, only Linke of the four smaller parties made it into the Bundestag, meaning that coalition formation could mathematically result in a grand coalition.

{{see also|Cordon sanitaire (politics)|Firewall against the far-right in Germany}}

The CDU, SPD, Greens and FDP all refuse to form a coalition including the BSW on the federal level, despite the SPD-BSW coalition (Red–purple coalition) in office in Brandenburg and a CDU-SPD-BSW coalition (blackberry coalition) in Thuringia.{{cite web|access-date=16 November 2024 |author=deutschlandfunk.de |date=16 November 2024 |language=de |title=Bundestagswahl 2025: Wie das BSW bei den Wählern punkten will |trans-title=Federal election 2025: How the BSW wants to score points with voters |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/bsw-bundestagswahl-2025-100.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116104454/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/bsw-bundestagswahl-2025-100.html |archive-date=16 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|access-date=26 July 2024 |date=26 July 2024 |language=de |title=Olaf Scholz schließt Koalition mit BSW auf Bundesebene aus |trans-title=Olaf Scholz rules out coalition with BSW at federal level |url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2024-07/buendnis-sahra-wagenknecht-spd-olaf-scholz-koalition-bsw-landtagswahlen |work=Die Zeit |last1=Eydlin |first1=Alexander |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726205033/https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2024-07/buendnis-sahra-wagenknecht-spd-olaf-scholz-koalition-bsw-landtagswahlen |archive-date=26 July 2024 |url-status=live}}

All other parties also refuse to form a coalition with or cooperate with the AfD. The CDU has passed a "resolution of incompatibility" regarding the AfD and The Left, prohibiting cooperation with either party at the federal level; the FDP will also not work with The Left.{{cite web|access-date=16 November 2024 |author=Marlene Schwäbisch |date=9 November 2024 |language=de |title=Bei Neuwahlen: Diese Koalitionen wären möglich |trans-title=In new elections: These coalitions would be possible |url=https://www.noz.de/deutschland-welt/politik/artikel/bei-neuwahlen-diese-koalitionen-waeren-moeglich-47964986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109144449/https://www.noz.de/deutschland-welt/politik/artikel/bei-neuwahlen-diese-koalitionen-waeren-moeglich-47964986 |archive-date=9 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

Following a stabbing attack in Aschaffenburg on 22 January, in which a rejected Afghan asylum seeker killed two people,{{cite web|access-date=15 February 2025 |author1=Behringer, Eva |author2=Breninek, Pirmin |author3=Erdtracht, Till |author4=Kuhles, Julia |author5=Sauer, Carlotta |date=26 January 2025 |language=de |title=Tödlicher Messerangriff in Aschaffenburg: Was wir wissen |trans-title=Deadly knife attack in Aschaffenburg: What we know |url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/toedlicher-messerangriff-in-aschaffenburg-was-wir-bisher-wissen,UacXLCm |work=Bayerischer Rundfunk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215122356/https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/toedlicher-messerangriff-in-aschaffenburg-was-wir-bisher-wissen,UacXLCm|archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Merz announced that the Union would introduce two non-binding resolutions on migration policy and homeland security to the Bundestag, appealing to SPD and Green lawmakers for their support.{{cite web|access-date=15 February 2025 |date=26 January 2025 |language=de |title=Das sind Merz' Pläne für die Migrationspolitik |trans-title=These are Merz's migration plans |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-antraege-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215131703/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-antraege-100.html |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Despite high-ranking members of both parties rejecting these initiatives, Merz's "five-point plan" on migration was adopted on 29 January with votes from the Union, FDP and AfD, marking a historic first on the federal level.{{cite web|access-date=15 February 2025 |date=29 January 2025 |language=de |title=Bundestag stimmt für Unionsantrag zur Migration |trans-title=Bundestag adopts Union motion on migration |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-antraege-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215132752/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/migration-antrag-union-100.html |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Lawmakers from the SPD, Greens and Left Party strongly criticized Merz for his alleged cooperation with the AfD, which the Union denied; Catholic, Protestant and Jewish representatives and retired CDU chancellor Angela Merkel voiced similar concerns. Following the vote, hundreds of thousands of protesters attended demonstrations against Merz's decisions across Germany.{{cite web|access-date=15 February 2025 |date=29 January 2025 |language=de |title=Hunderte demonstrieren vor CDU-Zentrale – Scharfe Kritik an Merz |trans-title=Hundreds protest in front of CDU headquarters - harsh criticisms against Merz |url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/hunderte-demonstrieren-vor-cdu-zentrale-scharfe-kritik-an-merz,UbITuka |work=Bayerischer Rundfunk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215134038/https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/hunderte-demonstrieren-vor-cdu-zentrale-scharfe-kritik-an-merz,UbITuka |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|access-date=15 February 2025 |date=6 February 2025 |language=de |title=Merkel bekräftigt Kritik an Merz' gemeinsamer Abstimmung mit AfD |trans-title=Merkel doubles down on critique of Merz's vote with AfD |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merkel-bekraeftigt-kritik-an-merz-gemeinsamer-abstimmung-mit-afd-102.html |work=deutschlandfunk.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215134432/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merkel-bekraeftigt-kritik-an-merz-gemeinsamer-abstimmung-mit-afd-102.html |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|access-date=15 February 2025 |date=3 February 2025 |language=de |title=Hunderttausende protestieren gegen AfD-Kurs von CDU und CSU |trans-title=Hundreds of thousands protest against CDU and CSU stance on AfD |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/hunderttausende-protestieren-gegen-afd-kurs-von-cdu-und-csu-100.html |work=deutschlandfunk.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215134621/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/hunderttausende-protestieren-gegen-afd-kurs-von-cdu-und-csu-100.html |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Subsequently, a similar bill proposed by the Union to limit migrant intake was defeated in the Bundestag on 31 January, despite the AfD's support.{{cite web|access-date=15 February 2025 |date=31 January 2025 |language=de |title=Bundestag lehnt Gesetzentwurf der Union ab |trans-title=Bundestag rejects Union migration bill |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/migrationsgesetz-abgelehnt-100.html |work=tagesschau.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215135902/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/migrationsgesetz-abgelehnt-100.html |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

While the debate on the cordon sanitaire dominated political discourse the following weeks, Politbarometer data suggested popular opinion to be split evenly between approval and criticism of Merz's course of action, resulting in no major polling shifts.{{cite web|access-date=15 February 2025 |date=31 January 2025 |language=de |title=Unions-Antrag mit AfD-Stimmen: Geteiltes Echo |trans-title=Union resolution with AfD votes: split responses |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/politbarometer-union-antrag-afd-100.html |work=ZDF heute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215140346/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/politbarometer-union-antrag-afd-100.html |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

To repeat the wins that saved their 2021 result, The Left announced Mission Silberlocke (Mission Silver Locks), in which popular party veterans ran in three districts, also aiming to achieve full representation for the party through the Grundmandatsklausel.{{cite web|access-date=25 February 2025|author1=Johanna Sahlberg|author2=Chris Lunday|date=20 February 2025 |title=Germany's Left comes back from the dead|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-left-party-die-linke-rising-young-voters-heidi-reichinnek/|work=Politico Europe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220035500/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-left-party-die-linke-rising-young-voters-heidi-reichinnek/|archive-date=20 February 2025|url-status=live}} Due to a last month surge in popularity mainly among young people, The Left won well over 5% of the vote, and two of the three targeted seats in winning six constituencies total, their best showing since winning sixteen in 2009.

The Free Voters targeted four constituencies to enter the Bundestag as a faction via the Grundmandatsklausel.{{cite web|access-date=23 February 2025 |date=10 January 2025 |language=de |title=Aiwangers Freie Wähler bald im Bundestag? "Chance gar nicht so gering" – aber nicht über den herkömmlichen Weg|trans-title=Aiwangers Free Voters soon in the Bundestag? „Chance not that low" – but not via the regular Way|url=https://www.merkur.de/politik/hubert-aiwangers-freie-waehler-nach-bundestagswahl-im-bundestag-chance-zr-93507181.html|work=Münchner Merkur|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215075910/https://www.merkur.de/politik/hubert-aiwangers-freie-waehler-nach-bundestagswahl-im-bundestag-chance-zr-93507181.html|archive-date=15 February 2025|url-status=live}} They failed to win any seats as all Bavarian seats were once again won by CSU.

{{See also|Political activities of Elon Musk#Germany}}

According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, foreign powers may attempt to discredit candidates seen as undesirable or raise doubts about the election's legitimacy.

United States businessman and government official Elon Musk repeatedly posted in favor of the AfD on his platform X.{{Cite web |title=Musk schaltet sich in deutschen Wahlkampf ein und unterstützt AfD |trans-title=Musk gets involved in German election campaign and supports AfD |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/amerika/musk-deutscher-wahlkampf-100.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220165436/https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/amerika/musk-deutscher-wahlkampf-100.html |archive-date=20 December 2024 |access-date=20 December 2024 |work=Tagesschau |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Musk teilte Beitrag mit Aufruf zu AfD-Wahl auf Plattform X |trans-title= |url=https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/3000000189204/fokus-1-tesla-gr252nder-musk-teilt-beitrag-mit-aufruf-zu-afd-wahl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930143141/https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/3000000189204/fokus-1-tesla-gr252nder-musk-teilt-beitrag-mit-aufruf-zu-afd-wahl |archive-date=30 September 2023 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Der Standard |language=de}} He also endorsed AfD in an op-ed published in Welt am Sonntag.{{Cite web |title=Warum Elon Musk auf die AfD setzt – und warum er dabei irrt |trans-title=Why Elon Musk is betting on the AfD – and why he is wrong? |url=https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus254982012/Warum-Elon-Musk-auf-die-AfD-setzt-und-warum-er-dabei-irrt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228075738/https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus254982012/Warum-Elon-Musk-auf-die-AfD-setzt-und-warum-er-dabei-irrt.html |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=De Welt |language=de}} This was indirectly criticized by President Steinmeier{{Cite news |date=27 December 2024 |title=Bundespräsident Steinmeier löst Bundestag auf – Neuwahlen am 23. Februar |trans-title=Federal President Steinmeier dissolves the Bundestag – New elections on 23 February |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/neuwahlen-bundespraesident-frank-walter-steinmeier-loest-bundestag-auf-wahltermin-23-februar-2025-a-3cd80e14-8a89-402c-ba9d-e6f0d9379630 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227101706/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/neuwahlen-bundespraesident-frank-walter-steinmeier-loest-bundestag-auf-wahltermin-23-februar-2025-a-3cd80e14-8a89-402c-ba9d-e6f0d9379630 |archive-date=27 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}} and directly by the CDU,{{Cite web |title=CDU-Chef Merz kritisiert Musk-Kommentar als "übergriffig" |trans-title=CDU leader Merz criticizes Musk's comment as "offensive" |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/musk-wahlkampf-esken-merz-100.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229151636/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/musk-wahlkampf-esken-merz-100.html |archive-date=29 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Tagesschau |language=de}} Greens,{{Cite web |date=31 December 2024 |title=Habeck zum AfD-Wahlaufruf von Musk: "Er stärkt die, die Europa schwächen" |trans-title=Habeck on Musk's AfD election appeal: "He strengthens those who weaken Europe" |url=https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/parteien/id_100562522/neujahrsansprache-von-robert-habeck-mit-kritik-an-elon-musk.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241231143001/https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/parteien/id_100562522/neujahrsansprache-von-robert-habeck-mit-kritik-an-elon-musk.html |archive-date=31 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=T-Online |language=de}} SPD, FDP, Left,{{Cite web |date=20 December 2024 |title=Musk schaltet sich in deutschen Wahlkampf ein und unterstützt AfD |trans-title=Musk gets involved in German election campaign and supports AfD |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/amerika/musk-deutscher-wahlkampf-100.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220165436/https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/amerika/musk-deutscher-wahlkampf-100.html |archive-date=20 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Tagesschau |language=de}} the German Journalists Association{{Cite web |title='Nicht als Sprachrohr missbrauchen lassen' |trans-title="Don't be abused as a mouthpiece!" |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/djv-reaktion-gastbeitrag-musk-100.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228193424/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/djv-reaktion-gastbeitrag-musk-100.html |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Tagesschau |language=de}} and other German media as unacceptable external influence.{{Cite news |last=Kormbaki |first=Marina |date=28 December 2024 |title=Wer Deutschland regieren will, muss Elon Musk in die Schranken weisen |trans-title=Anyone who wants to govern Germany must put Elon Musk in his place |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/afd-wahlaufruf-in-der-welt-elon-musk-weiss-nicht-wovon-er-schreibt-a-5ad6c66d-0a15-40fa-90e1-54a017097590 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228162807/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/afd-wahlaufruf-in-der-welt-elon-musk-weiss-nicht-wovon-er-schreibt-a-5ad6c66d-0a15-40fa-90e1-54a017097590 |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}{{Cite web |title=Musk als Ausgeburt an Oberflächlichkeit und Desinteresse |trans-title=Musk as the epitome of superficiality and disinterest |url=https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Musk-als-Ausgeburt-an-Oberflaechlichkeit-und-Desinteresse-article25459786.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230202857/https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Musk-als-Ausgeburt-an-Oberflaechlichkeit-und-Desinteresse-article25459786.html |archive-date=30 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=n-tv|language=de}}{{Cite web |last=Haaf |first=Meredith |date=29 December 2024 |title=Musk empfiehlt die AfD. Der deutsche Kult um den Unternehmer ist grotesk |trans-title=Musk recommends the AfD. The German cult of the entrepreneur is grotesque |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/meinung/musk-wahlempfehlung-welt-kommentar-personenkult-afd-li.3173958?reduced=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229154517/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/meinung/musk-wahlempfehlung-welt-kommentar-personenkult-afd-li.3173958?reduced=true |archive-date=29 December 2024 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Süddeutsche |language=de}} Similarly, United States Vice President JD Vance met with AfD leadership and criticized other German parties for refusing to cooperate with the party.{{Cite web |date=14 February 2025 |title=Vance meets German far-right AfD leader amid election interference criticism |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/berlin-says-vance-should-not-interfere-german-politics-2025-02-14/ |access-date=15 February 2025 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215042500/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/berlin-says-vance-should-not-interfere-german-politics-2025-02-14/ |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Both Scholz and Merz rebuked Vance for his comments.{{Cite news |date=15 February 2025 |title=Scholz blasts Vance's support for Germany's far-right |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/15/vance-germany-afd-scholz-weidel-far-right/ |access-date=15 February 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216232733/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/15/vance-germany-afd-scholz-weidel-far-right/ |archive-date=16 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=15 February 2025 |title=German opposition leader joins rebuke of Vance criticism |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-opposition-leader-joins-rebuke-vance-criticism-2025-02-15/ |access-date=15 February 2025 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215165909/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-opposition-leader-joins-rebuke-vance-criticism-2025-02-15/ |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

German security authorities also expected interference in the federal election campaign from abroad. The focus was on officially controlled disinformation campaigns from Russia, to whom Musk is alleged to be connected.{{Cite web |author1=Sam Schechner |author2=Thomas Grove |author3=Warren P. Strobel |author4=Aruna Viswanatha |author5=Gordon Lubold |title=Exclusive: Elon Musk's Secret Conversations With Vladimir Putin |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/musk-putin-secret-conversations-37e1c187 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=WSJ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220172552/https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/musk-putin-secret-conversations-37e1c187 |archive-date=20 February 2025|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Verfassungsschutz warnt vor Einflussnahme auf Bundestagswahl |trans-title=Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns against influencing the Bundestag election |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/verfassungsschutz-warnung-cyberangriffe-bundestagswahl-100.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129150432/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/verfassungsschutz-warnung-cyberangriffe-bundestagswahl-100.html |archive-date=29 November 2024 |access-date=20 December 2024 |work=Tagesschau|language=de}} The European Digital Media Observatory at the European University Institute cites{{Cite web |title=Influence operation exposed: How Russia meddles in Germany's election campaign |work=EDMO |url=https://edmo.eu/publications/influence-operation-exposed-how-russia-meddles-in-germanys-election-campaign/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204110844/https://edmo.eu/publications/influence-operation-exposed-how-russia-meddles-in-germanys-election-campaign/ |archive-date=4 February 2025 }} an investigation from German outlet Correctiv that found over 100 websites had been established with the help of artificial intelligence to spread disinformation regarding electoral candidates.{{Cite web |last=Thust |first=Sarah |date=23 January 2025 |title=Einflussoperation enttarnt: Russland greift in deutschen Wahlkampf ein |trans-title=Influence operation exposed: Russia intervenes in German election campaign |url=https://correctiv.org/faktencheck/russische-desinformation/2025/01/23/angriff-aus-russland-auf-bundestagswahl-deepfake-ki/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Correctiv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123150757/https://correctiv.org/faktencheck/russische-desinformation/2025/01/23/angriff-aus-russland-auf-bundestagswahl-deepfake-ki/ |archive-date=23 January 2025 |language=de}}

{{main|Opinion polling for the 2025 German federal election}}

{{wide image|Opinion polls Germany 2025.svg|1000px|Local regression of polls conducted}}

By 14:00 local time, early estimates from German election officials indicated that voter turnout was higher this year compared to 2021.{{Cite web |title=Bundestagswahl 2025: Wahlbeteiligung an der Urne liegt bis 14:00 Uhr bei 52,0 Prozent |url=https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/info/presse/mitteilungen/bundestagswahl-2025/25_25_wahlbeteiligung-14uhr.html |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=Die Bundeswahlleiterin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223150200/https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/info/presse/mitteilungen/bundestagswahl-2025/25_25_wahlbeteiligung-14uhr.html|archive-date=23 February 2025|url-status=live}} 52% of eligible voters had already cast their ballots, excluding mail-in votes. In contrast, at the same point in 2021, the turnout was 36.5%. The results are not directly comparable with those of 2021 because more voters voted by absentee ballot in 2021 due to COVID-19.{{Cite web |date=22 February 2025 |title=German election 2025: Conservative CDU favorite to win as far right eyes historic result — live updates |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-federal-election-2025-live-friedrich-merz-alice-weidel-olaf-scholz-cdu-spd-afd/ |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=Politico Europe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222182505/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-federal-election-2025-live-friedrich-merz-alice-weidel-olaf-scholz-cdu-spd-afd/|archive-date=22 February 2025|url-status=live}}

In recent German federal elections, including the 2025 election, voter turnout has shown significant regional variations. Participation rates have traditionally been higher in western states such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, while lower in eastern states like in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. However, the 2025 election registred an increase of voter participation in the east, particularly in areas where the AfD gained support.{{Cite news |last1=Chassany |first1=Anne-Sylvaine |last2=Stabe |first2=Martin |last3=Vincent |first3=Jonathan |date=24 February 2025 |title=Five takeaways from Germany's historic election — in charts |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4bc5438f-2deb-4026-aa99-746a7d3f9284 |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=Financial Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225072120/https://www.ft.com/content/4bc5438f-2deb-4026-aa99-746a7d3f9284|archive-date=25 February 2025|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=FDP leader resigns after German election result – as it happened |author1=Helen Livingstone |author2=Maya Yang |author3=Jakub Krupa |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/23/german-election-live-olaf-scholz-alice-weidel-afd-friedrich-merz-germany-latest-news |work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223114601/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/23/german-election-live-olaf-scholz-alice-weidel-afd-friedrich-merz-germany-latest-news|archive-date=23 February 2025|url-status=live}} Certain regions, mostly in eastern Germany, experienced exceptional surges in voter participation. In Thuringia, turnout by 12:00 PM reached 44.5%, nearly doubling the figure from the same time in the previous election. Similar upward trends were observed in Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt, where midday turnout stood at 33% and 37.1%, respectively, both unusually high for these regions.{{Cite web |date=23 February 2025 |title=Wahlbeteiligung 2025 im Vergleich zu 2021 bisher |url=https://www.bild.de/politik/erste-ergebnisse-zur-wahlbeteiligung-2025-im-vergleich-zu-2021-67bb27fe8bde9d572bbd688b |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=Bild |language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223152049/https://www.bild.de/politik/erste-ergebnisse-zur-wahlbeteiligung-2025-im-vergleich-zu-2021-67bb27fe8bde9d572bbd688b|archive-date=23 February 2025|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=GERMANY: Federal election 2025 |work=European Council on Refugees and Exiles |url=https://ecre.org/germany-federal-election-2025/ |access-date=3 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310223250/https://ecre.org/germany-federal-election-2025/|archive-date=10 March 2025|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Results of the 2025 German federal election}}

The election reflected a strong divide between the former West and East Germany,{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Seán |title=German election 2025: results in full |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/feb/23/german-election-2025-results-in-full-live |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223165201/https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/feb/23/german-election-2025-results-in-full-live |archive-date=23 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Far-right AfD wins eastern Germany by huge margin as divisions remain |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/world/2025/02/501_392846.html |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Korea Times |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224213858/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/world/2025/02/501_392846.html |archive-date=24 February 2025 }}{{cite news |title='We have achieved something historic': Germany's AfD celebrates record gains |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/we-have-achieved-something-historic-germanys-afd-celebrates-record-gains/articleshow/118516751.cms |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224014954/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/we-have-achieved-something-historic-germanys-afd-celebrates-record-gains/articleshow/118516751.cms |archive-date=24 February 2025 }} with the AfD becoming the strongest party in the east{{cite news |last1=Pfeifer |first1=Hans |title=German far-right AfD sees historic gains, still out of power |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-election-far-right-afd-alice-weidel/a-71725460 |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224111902/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-election-far-right-afd-alice-weidel/a-71725460 |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Pfeifer |first1=Hans |title=Far-right AfD surge is warning for Germany's other parties, says winner Merz |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckg82wwrwy6t?page=2 |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=BBC News |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224081736/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckg82wwrwy6t?page=2 |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Escritt |first1=Thomas |title='Next time we'll come first': German far-right celebrates breakthrough |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/next-time-well-come-first-german-far-right-celebrates-breakthrough-2025-02-23/ |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=BBC News |date=23 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224002757/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/next-time-well-come-first-german-far-right-celebrates-breakthrough-2025-02-23/ |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}} and securing all five former East German states.{{cite news |last1=Krupa |first1=Jakub |title=FDP leader resigns after German election result – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/23/german-election-live-olaf-scholz-alice-weidel-afd-friedrich-merz-germany-latest-news |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224013456/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/23/german-election-live-olaf-scholz-alice-weidel-afd-friedrich-merz-germany-latest-news |archive-date=24 February 2025 }} Two more parties mirrored AfD's overperformance across the former border: Die Linke, with additional high performances in the former West German states of Bremen{{cite news |title=Bundestagswahl in Bremen: So hat Ihr Stadtteil gewählt |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/bremen/rb-so-haben-bremen-und-bremerhaven-gewaehlt-100.html |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Tagesschau |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302220634/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/bremen/rb-so-haben-bremen-und-bremerhaven-gewaehlt-100.html |archive-date=2 March 2025 |url-status=live}} and Hamburg,{{cite news |title=Bundestagswahl: SPD in Hamburg vorn - hohe Wahlbeteiligung |url=https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/Bundestagswahl-SPD-in-Hamburg-vorn-hohe-Wahlbeteiligung,bundestagswahl1042.html |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=NDR |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304224904/https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/Bundestagswahl-SPD-in-Hamburg-vorn-hohe-Wahlbeteiligung,bundestagswahl1042.html |archive-date=4 March 2025 |url-status=live}} and the BSW, described as 'populist far-left',{{cite news |last1=Haseldine |first1=Lisa |title=The surprising fall of Germany's populist far-left party |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-surprising-fall-of-germanys-populist-far-left-party/ |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Spectator |date=14 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218093456/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-surprising-fall-of-germanys-populist-far-left-party/ |archive-date=18 February 2025 }} 'left populist'{{cite news |last1=Lunday |first1=Chris |title=World's top defense conference bans Germany's populist left and right parties |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/munich-security-conference-defense-ban-germany-populist-afd-bsw/ |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=POLITICO |date=3 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203123117/https://www.politico.eu/article/munich-security-conference-defense-ban-germany-populist-afd-bsw/ |archive-date=3 February 2025 }} or 'leftist populist'.{{cite news |last1=Marsh |first1=Sarah |title=German leftist BSW party considers challenging national election result |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-leftist-bsw-party-considers-challenging-national-election-result-2025-02-24/ |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=Reuters |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226105859/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-leftist-bsw-party-considers-challenging-national-election-result-2025-02-24/|archive-date=26 February 2025|url-status=live}} All three secured their best results in eastern constituencies, while performing the worst in western ones. This has been the opposite for the four other major parties: the Union, the SPD, the Greens and the FDP.{{cite web |title=Bundestagswahl 2025 |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/wahlergebnisse-bundestagswahl-2025-so-hat-ihr-wahlkreis-abgestimmt-a-6ace92df-43cc-48de-b183-2c98c7c19c2f |work=Die Spiegel |access-date=25 February 2025 |last1=Grefe-Huge |first1=Carla |last2=Heber |first2=Max |last3=Kuchlmayr |first3=Ferdinand |last4=Kurt |first4=Chris |last5=Ohdah |first5=Dawood |last6=Pauly |first6=Marcel |last7=Stahl |first7=Matthias |last8=Wilkin |first8=Rina |date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224094546/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/wahlergebnisse-bundestagswahl-2025-so-hat-ihr-wahlkreis-abgestimmt-a-6ace92df-43cc-48de-b183-2c98c7c19c2f|archive-date=24 February 2025|url-status=live}} The Union performed well in the western part of the country, securing every area-state{{efn|A relatively larger state that is not a city-state like Berlin, Hamburg or Bremen{{cite web |last1=El-Saghir |first1=Janine |title=Federal States of Germany |url=https://www.how-to-germany.com/federal-states-of-germany/ |work=How to Germany |date=20 January 2025 |access-date=25 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223033716/https://www.how-to-germany.com/federal-states-of-germany/|archive-date=23 February 2025|url-status=live}}}} there.{{cite news |last1=Millar |first1=Paul |title=How Germany's enduring East-West divide is pushing voters to the fringes |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250224-how-germany-enduring-east-west-divide-pushing-voters-to-fringes-elections-afd-die-linke-migration |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=France 24 |date=24 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224201906/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250224-how-germany-enduring-east-west-divide-pushing-voters-to-fringes-elections-afd-die-linke-migration|archive-date=24 February 2025|url-status=live}} They recorded a particularly strong result in Bavaria, where the CSU carried every constituency.{{cite news |last1=Grün |first1=Gianna-Carina |last2=Zeier |first2=Kristin |title=German election results explained in graphics |url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-results-and-voter-demographics-explained-in-charts/a-71724186 |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=24 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223231858/https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-results-and-voter-demographics-explained-in-charts/a-71724186|archive-date=23 February 2025|url-status=live}}

File:2021 German federal election.svg|A slideshow showing the difference between this election and the last

File:2025 German federal election.svg|A slideshow showing the difference between this election and the last

{{Election results

|image=File:21st Bundestag.svg

|firstround=Party list|secondround=Constituency

|party1=Christian Democratic Union|votes1=11196374|seats1=36|votes1_2=12604184|seats1_2=128|totseats1=164|sc1=+12

|party2=Alternative for Germany|votes2=10328780|seats2=110|votes2_2=10177318|seats2_2=42|totseats2=152|sc2=+69

|party3=Social Democratic Party|votes3=8149124|seats3=76|votes3_2=9936433|seats3_2=44|totseats3=120|sc3=–86

|party4=Alliance 90/The Greens|votes4=5762380|seats4=73|votes4_2=5443393|seats4_2=12|totseats4=85|sc4=–33

|party5=The Left|votes5=4356532|seats5=58|votes5_2=3933297|seats5_2=6|totseats5=64|sc5=+25

|party6=Christian Social Union|votes6=2964028|seats6=0|votes6_2=3272064|seats6_2=44|totseats6=44|sc6=–1

|party7=Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance|votes7=2472947|seats7=0|votes7_2=299401|seats7_2=0|totseats7=0|sc7=New

|party8=Free Democratic Party|votes8=2148757|seats8=0|votes8_2=1622912|seats8_2=0|totseats8=0|sc8={{nowrap|–91{{efn|name="FDP seats"}}}}

|party9=Free Voters|votes9=769279|seats9=0|votes9_2=1254565|seats9_2=0|totseats9=0|sc9=0

|party10=Human Environment Animal Protection Party|votes10=482201|seats10=0|votes10_2=82498|seats10_2=0|totseats10=0|sc10=0

|party11=Volt Germany|votes11=355262|seats11=0|votes11_2=391666|seats11_2=0|totseats11=0|sc11=0

|party12=Die PARTEI|votes12=242741|seats12=0|votes12_2=122268|seats12_2=0|totseats12=0|sc12=0

|party13=Grassroots Democratic Party of Germany|votes13=85373|seats13=0|votes13_2=41923|seats13_2=0|totseats13=0|sc13=0

|party14=Bündnis Deutschland|votes14=76372|seats14=0|votes14_2=87955|seats14_2=0|totseats14=0|sc14=New

|party15=South Schleswig Voters' Association|votes15=76138|seats15=1|votes15_2=58779|seats15_2=0|totseats15=1|sc15=0

|party16=Ecological Democratic Party|votes16=49764|seats16=0|votes16_2=54606|seats16_2=0|totseats16=0|sc16=0

|party17=Team Todenhöfer|votes17=24553|seats17=0|votes17_2=9783|seats17_2=0|totseats17=0|sc17=0

|party18=Party of Progress|votes18=21388|seats18=0|votes18_2=1282|seats18_2=0|totseats18=0|sc18=0

|party19=Marxist–Leninist Party of Germany|votes19=19551|seats19=0|votes19_2=24218|seats19_2=0|totseats19=0|sc19=0

|party20=Party of Humanists|votes20=14294|seats20=0|votes20_2=1871|seats20_2=0|totseats20=0|sc20=0

|party21=Pirate Party Germany|votes21=13800|seats21=0|votes21_2=2151|seats21_2=0|totseats21=0|sc21=0

|party22=Bavaria Party|votes22=12278|seats22=0|votes22_2=5763|seats22_2=0|totseats22=0|sc22=0

|party23=Alliance C – Christians for Germany|votes23=11768|seats23=0|votes23_2=2021|seats23_2=0|totseats23=0|sc23=0

|party24=MERA25|votes24=6994|seats24=0|votes24_2=658|seats24_2=0|totseats24=0|sc24=New

|party25=Values Union|votes25=6736|seats25=0|votes25_2=2849|seats25_2=0|totseats25=0|sc25=New

|party26=Human World|votes26=694|seats26=0|totseats26=0|sc26=0

|party27=Bürgerrechtsbewegung Solidarität|votes27=676|seats27=0|votes27_2=1295|seats27_2=0|totseats27=0|sc27=0

|party28=Socialist Equality Party|votes28=425|seats28=0|votes28_2=73|seats28_2=0|totseats28=0|sc28=0

|party29=Party for Rejuvenation Research|votes29=303|seats29=0|totseats29=0|sc29=0

|party30=Independents|votes30_2=70163|seats30_2=0|totseats30=0|sc30=0

|total_sc=–105

|invalid=279141|invalid2=423264

|electorate=60510631|electorate2=60510631

|source=[https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/en/bundestagswahlen/2025/ergebnisse/bund-99.html Federal Returning Officer]

}}

File:2025-germany-constituency-by-state.svgThe CDU/CSU won 172 constituency seats, while the SPD got 44 and the AfD 42. The Greens got 12 constituency seats, with Die Linke securing six.{{cite web |title=German Federal Election Results |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-german-election-results/ |work=Bloomberg |access-date=26 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228112649/https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-german-election-results/|archive-date=28 February 2025|url-status=live}} The AfD swept through the former East German states, winning 41 constituencies out of 44.{{cite news |title=++ Klingbeil: "Der Ball liegt bei Friedrich Merz" ++ |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/newsticker/liveblog-bundestagswahl-2025-montag-100.html |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Tagesschau |date=25 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224010121/https://www.tagesschau.de/newsticker/liveblog-bundestagswahl-2025-montag-100.html|archive-date=24 February 2025|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Schwarz |first1=Franziska |title=Der Osten ist dunkelblau: AfD dominiert nach Bundestagswahl |url=https://www.fr.de/politik/nach-bundestagswahl-der-osten-ist-dunkelblau-afd-dominiert-zr-93590761.html |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=fr.de |date=26 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226123241/https://www.fr.de/politik/nach-bundestagswahl-der-osten-ist-dunkelblau-afd-dominiert-zr-93590761.html|archive-date=26 February 2025|url-status=live}} It also won Marzahn – Hellersdorf{{cite web |title=Die Ergebnisse im Wahlkreis Berlin-Marzahn-Hellersdorf |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/projekte/artikel/bundestagswahl-2025/bundestagswahl-deutschland-2025-wahlergebnis-berlin-marzahn-hellersdorf-e778171/ |work=Süddeutsche Zeitung |date=22 February 2025 |access-date=26 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224101959/www.sueddeutsche.de/projekte/artikel/bundestagswahl-2025/bundestagswahl-deutschland-2025-wahlergebnis-berlin-marzahn-hellersdorf-e778171|archive-date=24 February 2025|url-status=live}} constituency in eastern Berlin,{{cite news |title=Alle Wahlergebnisse für die Berliner Wahlkreise |url=https://www.rbb24.de/politik/wahl/bundestag/2025/berlin-wahlkreise-direktmandate-parteien-ergebnisse.html |access-date=28 February 2025 |work=rbb24.de |date=24 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223203849/https://www.rbb24.de/politik/wahl/bundestag/2025/berlin-wahlkreise-direktmandate-parteien-ergebnisse.html|archive-date=23 February 2025|url-status=live}} making it the first time in its history it has won a seat in the capital.{{cite news |title=Bundestagswahl: Curio holt erstmals Wahlkreismandat für AfD in Berlin |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/berlin/rbb-bundestagswahl-curio-holt-erstmals-wahlkreismandat-fuer-afd-in-berlin-100.html |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Tagesschau |date=24 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306095008/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/berlin/rbb-bundestagswahl-curio-holt-erstmals-wahlkreismandat-fuer-afd-in-berlin-100.html|archive-date=6 March 2025|url-status=live}} In 23 constituencies, the candidate with the most votes was not elected, due to a lack of second vote coverage.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2025 |title=Bundestag: 23 Kandidaten trotz Wahlsieg nicht im Parlament |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/wahlrechtsreform-folgen-wahlkreissieger-foehr-moerseburg-cdu-100.html |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=ZDFheute |language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226160557/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/wahlrechtsreform-folgen-wahlkreissieger-foehr-moerseburg-cdu-100.html|archive-date=26 February 2025|url-status=live}} Those include 18 Union candidates - 15 from the CDU and three from the CSU - as well as four would-be delegates from the AfD and one more from the SPD.{{cite news |title=23 Wahlkreisgewinner ziehen nicht in den Bundestag ein |url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2025-02/bundestagswahl-wahlkreisgewinner-bundestag-wahlrechtsreform |access-date=5 March 2025 |work=zeit.de |date=24 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305021153/https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2025-02/bundestagswahl-wahlkreisgewinner-bundestag-wahlrechtsreform|archive-date=5 March 2025|url-status=live}} The average vote for BSW in states where they ran is 2.5%. In some of those states like Thuringia they ran in all constituencies.

The CDU/CSU, AfD and Die Linke were considered the biggest winners of the election.{{Cite web |title=German election results explained in graphics Kristin Zeier |last=Grün |first=Gianna-Carina |date=27 February 2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-results-explained-in-graphics/a-71724186 |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301090658/https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-results-explained-in-graphics/a-71724186 |archive-date=1 March 2025|url-status=live}} In total, about 14% of votes are not represented, and the seats are distributed among other parties. Thus, CDU/CSU plus SPD hold 52% of seats despite receiving only 45% of the popular vote.

Following the election, a lack of diversity in the new Bundestag was reported.{{Cite web |title=German parliament has a diversity problem |url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-parliament-has-a-diversity-problem/a-71776645 |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227230726/https://www.dw.com/en/german-parliament-has-a-diversity-problem/a-71776645 |archive-date=27 February 2025 |url-status=live}} 23 candidates who received the most constituency votes in their districts (which would have previously entitled them to a Direktmandat) were excluded from sitting due to the 2023 electoral reform enacted by the Scholz government.{{Cite web |title=German election: Winning candidates angry over lost seats |last=Knight |first=Ben |date=2 March 2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-winning-candidates-angry-over-lost-seats/a-71782950 |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303015008/https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-winning-candidates-angry-over-lost-seats/a-71782950 |archive-date=3 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

The evening following the election, CDU leader Friedrich Merz stated that he and his party were fundamentally opposed to partnering with the AfD to form a government, saying: "We have fundamentally different views, for example on foreign policy, on security policy, in many other areas, regarding Europe, the euro, [and] NATO. ... You want the opposite of what we want, so there will be no cooperation."{{Cite news |date=23 February 2025 |title=Conservative opposition wins German election and the far right is 2nd with strongest postwar result |url=https://apnews.com/article/germany-election-merz-scholz-far-right-afd-ebf16ed38e0beaff7fed9a6d29b32a24 |access-date=23 February 2025|work=Associated Press |language=en|author=Geir Moulson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224045601/https://apnews.com/article/germany-election-merz-scholz-far-right-afd-ebf16ed38e0beaff7fed9a6d29b32a24 |archive-date=24 February 2025 }} However, in January 2025, Merz and the CDU had looked for active support from the AfD on several proposals about immigration policies, leading some to speculate that the "firewall" excluding the far-right from governing had fallen, or was no longer a major factor in the party's political strategy.{{cite web|date=31 January 2025|title=Germany: What is the 'AfD firewall'? Germany's conservatives were able to pass a strict immigration motion with votes by the far-right party, marking a historic breach of the 'firewall' on working with the far-right on policy. Has the 'firewall' fallen?|url=https://www.dw.com/en/afd-firewall-germany-political-consensus-explained/a-71457050|work=Deutsche Welle|first1=Jens|last1=Thurau|first2=Elizabeth|last2=Schumacher|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224045459/https://www.dw.com/en/afd-firewall-germany-political-consensus-explained/a-71457050 |archive-date=24 February 2025 }}{{cite web|date=24 January 2025|title=Germany's far-right firewall weakens as Merz pledges migration crackdown|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-far-right-afd-firewall-weakens-as-conservatives-cdu-move-to-crack-down-on-migration-friedrich-merz-alice-weidel-election/|work=Politico|first1=Chris|last1=Lunday|first2=Emily|last2=Schultheis|first3=Rixa|last3=Fürsen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124160226/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-far-right-afd-firewall-weakens-as-conservatives-cdu-move-to-crack-down-on-migration-friedrich-merz-alice-weidel-election |archive-date=24 January 2025}}

Merz said that the CDU/CSU alliance had already started negotiations with the SPD to form a coalition government by April of the same year;{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=Merz confirms push for centrist coalition after German election win |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-cdu-spd-confirms-push-for-cdu-spd-coalition-election-win/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304142955/https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-cdu-spd-confirms-push-for-cdu-spd-coalition-election-win/ |archive-date=4 March 2025 |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=Politico Europe}}{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=Che governo ci sarà in Germania? |trans-title=What kind of government will there be in Germany? |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2025/02/24/cosa-succede-ora-in-germania-coalizione/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Il Post |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224085100/https://www.ilpost.it/2025/02/24/cosa-succede-ora-in-germania-coalizione/ |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}} although the same coalition had already supported governments led by Chancellor Angela Merkel for 12 years, some commentators noted how Merz's political background – being a representative of the CDU's most conservative wing – and his previous criticism of left-wing parties, including the SPD itself and The Greens, faced criticism by progressive politicians.{{Cite web |last1=Deininger |first1=Roman |last2=Roßbach |first2=Henrike |last3=Roßmann |first3=Robert |date=23 February 2025 |title=Bundestagswahl: Merz soll Kanzler werden – mit wem? Komplizierte Koalitionssuche |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/projekte/artikel/politik/merz-cdu-bundestagswahl-2025-koalition-csu-afd-trump-e440862/?reduced=true |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Süddeutsche Zeitung |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228143026/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/projekte/artikel/politik/merz-cdu-bundestagswahl-2025-koalition-csu-afd-trump-e440862/ |archive-date=28 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Further political divergences and issues between the CDU and the SPD, including immigration policies, support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion, public expense, and fiscal policy, were also cited as key factors that could influence the stability of the government, as well as the relations between Merz and Markus Söder, the leader of the CSU – the Bavarian counterpart of the CDU.

The AfD increased its vote share in all states and became the largest party in all five former East German states;{{Cite news |date=23 February 2025 |title=Live German election results |url=https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GERMANY-ELECTION/RESULTS/movaynkgova/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223092700/https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GERMANY-ELECTION/RESULTS/movaynkgova/ |archive-date=23 February 2025 |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite news |last=Cole |first=Deborah |date=24 February 2025 |title=A country divided: Five key takeaways from the German election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/24/a-country-divided-five-key-takeaways-from-the-german-election |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224182902/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/24/a-country-divided-five-key-takeaways-from-the-german-election |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}} according to the exit polls, it was the second most-voted party in the 18-29 age bracket (21%), behind only the Linke,{{Cite web |last1=Ebitsch |first1=Sabrina |last2=Westerkamp |first2=Joscha F. |date=23 February 2025 |title=Bundestagswahl 2025: Die Linke ist stärkste Kraft bei den Jungen, wo die AfD vorn liegt |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundestagswahl-2025-daten-alter-geschlecht-beruf-bildung-linke-li.3203939?reduced=true |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Süddeutsche Zeitung |language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226071447/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundestagswahl-2025-daten-alter-geschlecht-beruf-bildung-linke-li.3203939 |archive-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Kruse |first1=Berit |last2=Gundlach |first2=Marie |last3=Schnuck |first3=Oliver |last4=Müller-Hansen |first4=Sören |last5=Hametner |first5=Markus |date=24 February 2025 |title=Bundestagswahl 2025: Wahlergebnisse analysiert in Grafiken |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/projekte/artikel/politik/bundestagswahl-2025-wahlergebnis-analyse-daten-e044415/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Süddeutsche Zeitung |language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224091403/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/projekte/artikel/politik/bundestagswahl-2025-wahlergebnis-analyse-daten-e044415/ |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}} and the most voted party among voters aged between 30 and 44 (26%). Though all other parties represented in the Bundestag stated their opposition to forming an alliance or coalition with the AfD, the CDU campaigned largely on an anti-immigration platform. Björn Höcke, the AfD leader in Thuringia, claimed that "the CDU has employed conservative right wing slogans in their election campaign", arguing that the AfD was the best-positioned party to help Merz implement his campaign agenda.{{cite web|date=23 February 2025|url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/germany-election-polls-results-intl/index.html|title=German elections: CDU's Merz looks set to be next chancellor as far-right AfD surges|first1=Ivana|last1=Kottasová|first2=Sophie|last2=Tanno|work=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223154603/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/germany-election-polls-results-intl/index.html |archive-date=23 February 2025 }}

The AfD became the largest opposition party in the Bundestag.{{Cite news |last=Bland |first=Archie |date=24 February 2025 |title=Monday briefing: Merz will be Germany's chancellor – but extremists are waiting in the wings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/24/monday-briefing-merz-will-be-germanys-chancellor-but-extremists-are-waiting-in-the-wings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224071710/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/24/monday-briefing-merz-will-be-germanys-chancellor-but-extremists-are-waiting-in-the-wings |archive-date=24 February 2025 |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} This position grants the party significant parliamentary privileges, including the right to respond first to the chancellor’s addresses, increased speaking time, and greater influence in committee assignments.{{Cite web |date=28 February 2025 |title=How Germany's far right intends to use its big stage in opposition |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-far-right-alternative-for-germany-afd-opposition/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Politico Europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228080221/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-far-right-alternative-for-germany-afd-opposition/ |archive-date=28 February 2025 |url-status=live}} The AfD’s influence over committee leadership positions has raised concerns among its opponents, particularly regarding its potential role in security and intelligence oversight. The party’s growing representation in the Bundestag also results in increased public funding. Although all other parties uphold a firewall against cooperation with the AfD, its leaders have expressed confidence that mounting political pressures may eventually force the CDU/CSU to engage with them.{{Cite news |last1=Chassany |first1=Anne-Sylvaine |last2=Vincent |first2=Jonathan |last3=Pitel |first3=Laura |date=2 March 2025 |title=Can Alternative for Germany be stopped? |url=https://www.ft.com/content/68f14f5b-57ae-49b0-a709-128c678a9255 |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Financial Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302090140/https://www.ft.com/content/68f14f5b-57ae-49b0-a709-128c678a9255 |archive-date=2 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

The SPD only received 16.4% of the vote, the lowest in the modern history of the party.{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=Five key takeaways from the German election |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx29wlje6dno |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301214927/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx29wlje6dno |archive-date=1 March 2025 |url-status=live}} Despite their poor result the SPD are likely to stay in government, though as a minority partner in a grand coalition with the CDU.{{Cite web |title=German election: Merz to 'intensify' SPD coalition talks |url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-merz-to-intensify-spd-coalition-talks/live-71732483 |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301161014/https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-merz-to-intensify-spd-coalition-talks/live-71732483 |archive-date=1 March 2025 |url-status=live}} Following the results of the election, SPD leader and incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced he would not seek to take part in negotiations for a new government led by CDU leader Friedrich Merz.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2025 |title=Tutti e tre i partiti che governavano in Germania cambieranno i propri leader |trans-title=All three parties that governed Germany will change their leaders |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2025/02/25/elezioni-germania-conseguenze-leader-partiti/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Il Post |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225085255/https://www.ilpost.it/2025/02/25/elezioni-germania-conseguenze-leader-partiti/ |archive-date=25 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Kathrin |date=24 February 2025 |title=Bundestagswahl: Union vorne, AfD mit Rekord, FDP & BSW raus |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2025-deutschland-wahlergebnisse-parteien-merz-scholz-100.html |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=ZDFheute |publisher=ZDF |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223170248/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2025-deutschland-wahlergebnisse-parteien-merz-scholz-100.html |archive-date=23 February 2025 |url-status=live}} As a result, SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil took over negotiations and was expected to become the party's new leader in the Bundestag.{{Cite news |last=Voigt |first=Eric |date=24 February 2025 |title=Regierungsbildung: Klingbeil dämpft Erwartungen an rasche Einigung zwischen SPD und Union |url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2025-02/bundestagswahl-spd-lars-klingbeil-koalition-union |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Die Zeit |language=de-DE |issn=0044-2070 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224214245/https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2025-02/bundestagswahl-spd-lars-klingbeil-koalition-union |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

The morning after the election, co-chancellor candidate of The Greens Robert Habeck announced his withdrawal from the party's leadership.{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title="Ich wollte mehr" – Habeck verkündet Rückzug aus Grünen-Spitze |trans-title="I wanted more" – Habeck announces withdrawal from Green Party leadership |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article255521576/Bundestagswahl-Ich-wollte-mehr-Habeck-verkuendet-Rueckzug-aus-Gruenen-Spitze.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224105540/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article255521576/Bundestagswahl-Ich-wollte-mehr-Habeck-verkuendet-Rueckzug-aus-Gruenen-Spitze.html |archive-date=24 February 2025 |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=Die Welt |language=de}} The other co-candidate for The Greens, Annalena Baerbock, as well as former party leader Ricarda Lang, were expected to become the next party leaders in the Bundestag.

Die Linke, which had been initially projected to struggle to return to the Bundestag until weeks before the election took place, won 8.8% of all votes, almost twice as much as their result in the previous cycle;{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=Da dove arriva la rimonta della sinistra in Germania |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2025/02/24/elezioni-germania-rimonta-sinistra-linke/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Il Post |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224114909/https://www.ilpost.it/2025/02/24/elezioni-germania-rimonta-sinistra-linke/ |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}} according to the exit polls, it was the most voted party among voters aged between 18 and 29 (24%). It also increased its vote share in every region. Some analysts attributed the party's result to the positive outcome of its campaign, which had notably avoided focusing on more restrictive immigration policies, in contrast to other left of centre parties such as the SPD, and had included further measures to fight poverty and the housing crisis.

Shortly after it was known that the FDP would not return to the Bundestag, having not managed to win at least 5% of all votes following the disastrous defeat,{{Cite web |last=Theil |first=Michael |date=24 February 2025 |title=Bundestagswahl 2025: Kleine Geschichte der Fünfprozenthürde |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/bundestagswahl/bundestagswahl-2025-kleine-geschichte-der-fuenfprozenthuerde-110318821.html |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226031723/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/bundestagswahl/bundestagswahl-2025-kleine-geschichte-der-fuenfprozenthuerde-110318821.html |archive-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Christian Lindner resigned as the party's leader and announced his retirement from active politics.{{Cite web |date=23 February 2025 |title=Liberal Leader Who Sparked German Govt's Downfall Resigns |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/liberal-leader-who-sparked-german-govt-s-downfall-resigns-1761d06e |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=Barron's |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224220443/https://www.barrons.com/news/liberal-leader-who-sparked-german-govt-s-downfall-resigns-1761d06e |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=Germany's Former Finance Minister Lindner Ends Political Career |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-23/germany-s-former-finance-minister-lindner-ends-political-career |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=Bloomberg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305021312/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-23/germany-s-former-finance-minister-lindner-ends-political-career |archive-date=5 March 2025 |url-status=live}} The FDP's general secretary, Marco Buschmann, also stepped down from his role.{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=Bundestagswahl: FDP-Chef Lindner will abtreten - wer folgt? |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2025-fdp-christian-lindner-rueckzug-100.html |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=ZDFheute |publisher=ZDF |language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223215500/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2025-fdp-christian-lindner-rueckzug-100.html |archive-date=23 February 2025 |url-status=live}} This was the worst result in the party's history in terms of percentage of the party list vote.{{Cite web |author=dhojnacki |date=23 February 2025 |title=Germany shifts rightward: Our experts answer the big questions about the country's election |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/germany-shifts-rightward-our-experts-answer-the-big-questions-about-the-countrys-election/ |access-date=1 March 2025 |work=Atlantic Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301091058/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/germany-shifts-rightward-our-experts-answer-the-big-questions-about-the-countrys-election/ |archive-date=1 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

The BSW fell just short of reaching the nationwide five percent hurdle with 13,435 votes fewer than needed to qualify for seats.{{Cite web |title=Sahra Wagenknecht: Rise and fall of Germany's shooting star |url=https://www.dw.com/en/sahra-wagenknecht-alliance-the-rise-and-fall-of-germanys-shooting-star/a-71741165 |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225103808/https://www.dw.com/en/sahra-wagenknecht-alliance-the-rise-and-fall-of-germanys-shooting-star/a-71741165 |archive-date=25 February 2025 |url-status=live}} The 4.97% of the second vote meant they would not be represented in the Bundestag.{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=BSW's Sahra Wagenknecht mulls challenging German election results |url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/24/bsws-sahra-wagenknecht-mulls-challenging-german-election-results |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=euronews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224195515/https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/24/bsws-sahra-wagenknecht-mulls-challenging-german-election-results |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Some noted how the rise of Die Linke in opinion polls prior to the election might have likely harmed the prospects of the BSW.{{Cite web |last=Broder |first=David |date=24 February 2025 |title=Sahra Wagenknecht loses her civil war on the German left |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2025/02/sahra-wagenknecht-left-party-german-election |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=New Statesman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225142546/https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2025/02/sahra-wagenknecht-left-party-german-election |archive-date=25 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=20 February 2025 |title=Germany's Left comes back from the dead |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-left-party-die-linke-rising-young-voters-heidi-reichinnek/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Politico Europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227035959/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-left-party-die-linke-rising-young-voters-heidi-reichinnek/ |archive-date=27 February 2025 |url-status=live}} As a result, party leader Sahra Wagenknecht threatened to take legal action over the election's results, citing overseas voting problems.{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=Sahra Wagenknecht's party threatens legal challenge to German election result |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/sahra-wagenknecht-party-bsw-5-percent-bundestag-parliament-threatens-legal-challenge-germany-election-result/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Politico Europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224115851/https://www.politico.eu/article/sahra-wagenknecht-party-bsw-5-percent-bundestag-parliament-threatens-legal-challenge-germany-election-result/ |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

=== International reactions ===

File:Election Night.jpg

• {{flagu|United States}}: In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump congratulated the election winners without naming Friedrich Merz or the CDU/CSU. He argued that Germany's shift to the right reflected a political trend shared with the United States, driven by issues like immigration and energy policy.{{Cite web |date=23 February 2025 |title=Trump congratulates Germany's election winners — and himself |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-congratulates-germany-election-results-2025-winners-friedrich-merz-cdu/ |last=Ross |first=Tim |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Politico Europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223214905/https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-congratulates-germany-election-results-2025-winners-friedrich-merz-cdu/ |archive-date=23 February 2025 |url-status=live}}
• {{flagu|United Kingdom}}: Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Merz and the CDU/CSU for their election results and expressed a willingness to cooperate further with the next German government.{{cite news |work=Reuters |access-date=24 February 2025 |archive-date=25 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225060244/https://www.reuters.com/world/international-reaction-germanys-election-2025-02-23/|url-status=live |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/international-reaction-germanys-election-2025-02-23/|date=24 February 2025 |orig-date=23 February 2025 |editor-first1=Keith |editor-last1=Weir |editor-first2=Giles |editor-last2=Elgood |editor-first3=Will|editor-last3=Dunham |editor-first4=Lisa |editor-last4=Shumaker |location=Berlin |title=International reaction to German election}}
• {{flagu|Ukraine}}: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the CDU/CSU on their victory and said he would look forward to "continuing our joint work" to "bring real peace closer to Ukraine, and strengthen Europe."
• {{flagu|France}}: President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken with Merz to congratulate him on his election victory and praised SPD leader Scholz.
• {{flagu|Israel}}: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Merz and the CDU/CSU and expressed a desire to increase cooperation between the two countries.
• {{flagu|Egypt}}: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi congratulated Merz and the CDU/CSU on their election victory, wishing him success. He expressed a commitment to strengthening strategic bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of joint coordination in "promoting regional peace and stability at this critical time."{{Cite web|date=24 February 2025 |title=President El-Sisi Congratulates Mr. Merz on Election Results |url=https://sis.gov.eg/Story/205161/President-El-Sisi-Congratulates-Mr.-Merz-on-Election-Results?lang=en-us |work=State Information Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226151151/https://sis.gov.eg/Story/205161/President-El-Sisi-Congratulates-Mr.-Merz-on-Election-Results?lang=en-us |archive-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live}}
• {{flagu|Greece}}: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the election "A decisive victory for our political family, for Germany, and for Europe. Congratulations Friedrich Merz! One thing is clear: you will be Germany's next chancellor."
• {{flagu|Czech Republic}}: Prime Minister Petr Fiala called for greater cooperation between the next German government and hoped for success in the forthcoming coalition negotiations.
• {{flagu|Hungary}}: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán congratulated Alice Weidel on X stating that "people of Germany voted for change in immense numbers."{{cite news |work=Der Spiegel |access-date=24 February 2025|url=https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/bundestagswahl-2025-viktor-orban-beglueckwuenscht-alice-weidel-statt-friedrich-merz-a-dc7b9652-c026-4f38-a127-1c443bea8d55 |date=24 February 2025 |orig-date=23 February 2025 |agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur|title= Orbán beglückwünscht Weidel und nicht Merz |trans-title= Orbán congrats to Weidel and not Merz |lang=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224143346/www.spiegel.de/ausland/bundestagswahl-2025-viktor-orban-beglueckwuenscht-alice-weidel-statt-friedrich-merz-a-dc7b9652-c026-4f38-a127-1c443bea8d55 |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}}
• {{flagu|Finland}}: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo congratulated Friedrich Merz, emphasizing the need for a strong Germany to support Ukraine and bolster Europe's security and economy.{{Cite web |title=German election: EU leaders congratulate CDU, Friedrich Merz |url=https://www.dw.com/en/eu-nato-reaction-german-election-2025-friedrich-merz-cdu/a-71730597 |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224160245/https://www.dw.com/en/eu-nato-reaction-german-election-2025-friedrich-merz-cdu/a-71730597 |archive-date=24 February 2025 |url-status=live}}
• {{flagu|Latvia}}: Prime Minister Evika Siliņa expressed enthusiasm about building a "stronger, more secure and competitive Europe" with Merz.
• {{flagu|Portugal}}: Prime Minister Luís Montenegro looked forward to tackling "common challenges in the EU, NATO and the United Nations."
• {{flagu|Denmark}}: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen congratulated Merz, stressing the importance of a "strong Europe and a strong Germany" in uncertain times.
• {{flagu|Croatia}}: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković congratulated Merz and Söder, and expressed hope that the formation of a new German government will be as soon as possible.{{cite web |title=Plenković čestitao Merzu i Soederu na rezultatima u Njemačkoj |url=https://www.nacional.hr/izborna-pobjeda-plenkovic-cestitao-merzu-i-soederu-na-rezultatima-u-njemackoj/ |work=Nacional |access-date=28 February 2025 |language=hr |date=23 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305022031/https://www.nacional.hr/izborna-pobjeda-plenkovic-cestitao-merzu-i-soederu-na-rezultatima-u-njemackoj/ |archive-date=5 March 2025 |url-status=live}}
• {{flagu|NATO}}: Secretary-General Mark Rutte congratulated Merz on his election victory and called on European allies to increase defence spending.
• {{flagu|Russia}}: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized a desire for a more pragmatic approach to areas of mutual interest but acknowledged that the future of bilateral ties would depend on how the new German government acts, stating that Russia would wait to see how relations evolve.{{Cite news |last1=Antonov |first1=Dmitry |last2=Papachristou |first2=Lucy |date=24 February 2025 |editor-last=Osborn |editor-first=Andrew |title=Kremlin says 'Let's see' when asked about future ties with new German chancellor |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-says-lets-see-when-asked-about-future-ties-with-new-german-chancellor-2025-02-24/ |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305022016/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-says-lets-see-when-asked-about-future-ties-with-new-german-chancellor-2025-02-24/ |archive-date=5 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

• {{flagu|Austria}}: The Freedom Party of Austria leader Herbert Kickl, stated: "Today, a gentle, soothing wind of the freedom of 1989 is blowing through Berlin and the entire Federal Republic."

• {{flagu|Italy}}: Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini congratulated AfD co-leader Alice Weidel and stated: "Change is winning in Germany too! AfD doubles its votes, despite attacks and lies from the left: stop illegal immigration and Islamic fanaticism, enough with the eco-madness, prioritize peace and jobs, Europe must be radically changed."

With all major parties rejecting to cooperate with the AfD, the CDU/CSU is currently working with SPD, as well as the Greens and Left. This "firewall" was shown in the first parliament session: while every faction has a confirmed right to have one member act as proxy to the speaker, the President of the Bundestag, only those suggested by CDU, CSU, SPD, Greens and Left were actually elected. The AfD candidate was rejected once again, in three rounds, like all of several dozen candidates since 2017. The failure of the FDP and BSW to reach the 5 per cent threshold in the Bundestag meant that these two parties did not receive seats in the new Bundestag.{{Cite web |title=Results of the Bundestag election 2025 |url=https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/en/bundestagswahlen/2025/ergebnisse/bund-99.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Bundeswahlleiterin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223180833/https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/en/bundestagswahlen/2025/ergebnisse/bund-99.html |archive-date=23 February 2025|url-status=live}}

In total, about 14% of votes are not represented, and the seats are distributed among other parties. Thus, CDU/CSU plus SPD hold 52% of seats despite receiving only 45% of the popular vote. Although the CDU/CSU emerged as the strongest party group, it fell far short of an absolute majority, which was the case only once, in 1957. As usual, further coalition negotiations are necessary, often for several months. The only possible majorities in the Bundestag involving just two groups would be the ones involving the CDU/CSU and either the SPD or, just mathematically, the "firewalled" AfD.{{Cite web |date=23 February 2025 |title=Koalitionsrechner: Welche Koalition könnte Deutschland regieren? |trans-title=Coalition calculator: Which coalition could govern Germany? |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/koalitionsrechner-bundestagswahl-2025-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223172920/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/koalitionsrechner-bundestagswahl-2025-100.html |archive-date=23 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

Since Friedrich Merz had publicly ruled out a coalition with the AfD on repeated occasions before and after the election, the only coalition which was considered was one between the centre-right CDU/CSU and the centre-left SPD. The SPD under the leadership of co-party leader Lars Klingbeil agreed to the talks.{{Cite web |title=Union und SPD wollen Sondierung fortsetzen |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/sondierungen-union-spd-freitag-104.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=28 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228161454/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/sondierungen-union-spd-freitag-104.html |url-status=live}} The decision to start the talks immediately was motivated by the desire of both parties to find a solution to pressing challenges such as the stagnating German economy, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and concerns about the actions of US President Donald Trump that are undermining transatlantic relations, to avoid prolonged political uncertainty.{{Cite web |title=Union und SPD machen Tempo bei den Sondierungen |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-union-spd-102.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=8 March 2025 |archive-url=

https://web.archive.org/web/20250308071152/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-union-spd-102.html |url-status=live}}

Because the CDU/CSU and SPD were always the strongest parties until this election, a coalition of the two is conventionally known as a "grand coalition" (Große Koalition, Groko). Such a coalition has already existed four times in Germany (Kiesinger cabinet in the 1960s, and since 2005 also in the first, third, and fourth Merkel cabinets), most recently from 2017 until 2021 under Chancellor Angela Merkel, when the Jamaica coalition negotiations between the CDU, Greens, and FDP failed and a CDU-led grand coalition was formed instead. The Grand Coalitions often only materialised when other coalitions were not possible.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2025 |title=Schwarz-rote Koalitionen - meist Notlösungen |trans-title=Black-red coalitions - mostly emergency solutions |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/schwarz-rote-grosse-koalition-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225112453/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/schwarz-rote-grosse-koalition-100.html |archive-date=25 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

The CDU team included Friedrich Merz and other high-ranking officials such as CSU leader Markus Söder, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann and CDU parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei, CSU parliamentary group leader Alexander Dobrindt, the Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer, the deputy chairwoman of the CDU Karin Prien and CSU politician Dorothee Bär. The SPD delegation was made up of important personalities such as Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Labour Minister Hubertus Heil, as well as the Secretary General Matthias Miersch, Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, the two Minister Presidents Manuela Schwesig and Anke Rehlinger, and the head of the SPD in North Rhine-Westphalia Achim Post.{{Cite web |date=28 February 2025 |title=Sondierungen von Union und SPD sollen heute beginnen |trans-title=Exploratory talks between the CDU/CSU and SPD to begin today |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/sondierungen-union-spd-freitag-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227213731/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/sondierungen-union-spd-freitag-100.html |archive-date=27 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=28 February 2025 |title=Knackpunkte, Kabinett - der Weg zur Koalition |trans-title=Sticking points, cabinet - the road to coalition |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-union-spd-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228151428/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-union-spd-100.html |archive-date=28 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

Both sides had originally wanted the talks not to commence until 5 March, in view of the state election in Hamburg on 2 March, as well as Carnival (peaking 3 March), which is very popular in some parts of Germany. Subsequently however, Klingbeil and Merz agreed to an early start in their talks, so exploratory talks between the two parties began in Berlin on 28 February 2025, five days after the election. Merz had set himself the target of forming a coalition by Easter.{{Cite web |date=28 February 2025 |title=Gespräche von Union und SPD starten schneller als erwartet |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/sondierungen-union-spd-freitag-102.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228084413/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/sondierungen-union-spd-freitag-102.html |archive-date=28 February 2025 |url-status=live}} From the outset, there were differences of opinion between the CDU and SPD on the reform of the debt brake (which limited the German budget deficit to 0.35% of GDP per year), a possible tax reform, the minimum tax reform, the minimum wage, the citizen's income, immigration and a new right to vote. Following the events at the White House on 28 February, exploratory talks were further intensified, as both parties recognised the need for a government capable of acting quickly in Europe's largest economy after US President Donald Trump suspended US military aid for Ukraine. The parties met again on 3 March.{{Cite web |date=3 March 2025 |title=Union und SPD drücken aufs Tempo |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-union-spd-102.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308071152/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-union-spd-102.html |archive-date=8 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

{{See also|German balanced budget amendment#2025 amendment}}

On the evening of 4 March, after it had already become apparent several times over the course of the previous days, it was made public that the CDU/CSU and SPD had reached an agreement on billions in debt. According to the draft, there were plans to change the Basic Law (German constitution) in order to exclude defence expenditure of over 1% of GDP and a second special fund, this time not for defence as in 2022, but for infrastructure in the amount of 500 billion euros.{{Cite web |date=4 March 2025 |title=Finanzpaket: Was die Einigung von Union und SPD bedeutet |trans-title=Financial package: What the agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD means |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-finanzen-faq-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304201347/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-finanzen-faq-100.html |archive-date=4 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Emundts |first=Corinna |date=5 March 2025 |title=Union und SPD sondieren unter Extrembedingungen |trans-title=CDU/CSU and SPD hold talks under extreme conditions |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/schulden-union-spd-102.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305201710/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/schulden-union-spd-102.html |archive-date=5 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |author1=CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group |author-link=CDU/CSU |author2=SPD Parliamentary Group |author-link2=Social Democratic Party of Germany |date=10 March 2025 |title=Gesetzentwurf der Fraktionen der SPD und CDU/CSU zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes (Artikel 109, 115 und 143h) |url=https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/150/2015096.pdf |access-date=14 March 2025 |work=Deutscher Bundestag |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314120015/https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/150/2015096.pdf |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}} However, Merz had ruled out a reform of the debt brake and additional debt during the election campaign.{{Cite web |last=Ostermann |first=Torben |date=7 March 2025 |title=Kalt erwischt von Merz' Milliardenschulden |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-milliardenschulden-union-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307135211/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-milliardenschulden-union-100.html |archive-date=7 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

Since the proposals would require changes to the Basic Law, they would require approval by a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat; however, in the newly elected, incoming Bundestag, parties opposed to these changes (the far-right AfD and The Left) together held a blocking minority of more than one third of the members. The prospective coalition partners (CDU/CSU and SPD) therefore decided to attempt to pass the legislation through the outgoing 20th Bundestag (elected in 2021), where they could reach the necessary majority if either Greens or FDP voted in favour. Therefore the parties requested two special sessions on the proposed constitutional changes (12 and 18 March). According to Article 39 (2) of the Basic Law, an outgoing Bundestag is capable of acting until the inauguration of the newly elected parliament, no later than the 30th day after the election. An outgoing Bundestag had decided on urgent matters before but never on changes to the Basic Law, nor had this previously been done by a parliament prematurely dissolved.{{Cite web |title=Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#p0193 |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Gesetze |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308035249/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#p0193 |archive-date=8 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

On 8 March, both sides started of coalition negotiations and set out their initial common positions in a paper.{{Cite web |date=8 March 2025 |title=Was Union und SPD bei ihren Sondierungen vereinbart haben |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/abschluss-sondierungen-hintergrund-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314092656/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/abschluss-sondierungen-hintergrund-100.html |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}} The plans were critisised by the AfD, which saw it as "socialism". The FDP viewed it as "ideologised climate policy". The Greens and The Left criticised omissions in the social sphere, and the BSW saw it as "a red carpet rolled out for the AfD to enter the Chancellery in 2029".{{Cite web |date=8 March 2025 |title=Viel Kritik an Plänen der "Kleinen Koalition" |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/reaktionen-sondierungen-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313085201/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/reaktionen-sondierungen-100.html |archive-date=13 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Willems |first=Jan Frédéric |date=10 March 2025 |title=Gegenwind für schwarz-rotes Finanzpaket |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/finanzpaket-gegenwind-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310041846/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/finanzpaket-gegenwind-100.html |archive-date=10 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |work=FUNDSCENE|date=9 March 2025 |title=Grüne pochen auf Zugeständnisse bei Finanzplänen von Union und SPD|url=https://fundscene.com/gruene-pochen-auf-zugestaendnisse-bei-finanzplaenen-von-union-und-spd/ |access-date=19 March 2025 |language=de |archive-date=25 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325033740/https://fundscene.com/gruene-pochen-auf-zugestaendnisse-bei-finanzplaenen-von-union-und-spd/ |url-status=live}} Economists also criticised the paper.{{Cite web |title=Ökonomen sparen nicht mit Kritik am Sondierungspapier von Union und SPD |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-reaktionen-oekonomen-kommunen-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313124419/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/sondierungen-reaktionen-oekonomen-kommunen-100.html |archive-date=13 March 2025 |url-status=live}} On 10 March, the Greens, on whose approval the CDU and SPD are reliant on for their plans, announced that they did not want to approve the project.{{Cite web |date=10 March 2025 |title=Grünen-Fraktionsspitze spricht sich gegen Zustimmung zum Finanzpaket aus |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/gruene-keine-zustimmung-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313223833/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/gruene-keine-zustimmung-100.html |archive-date=13 March 2025 |url-status=live}} Instead, they introduced their own draft bill in the Bundestag which, among other things, called for the debt brake to be applied not only to defence, but also for civil defence and cyber security from 1% of GDP.{{Cite web |author=Alliance 90/The Greens |date=10 March 2025 |title=Gesetzentwurf der Fraktion BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes (Artikel 109 und 115) |url=https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/150/2015098.pdf |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312163912/https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/150/2015098.pdf |archive-date=12 March 2025 |url-status=live}} At the same time, they saw the special funds for infrastructure as a way for the SPD and CDU/CSU to finance their election campaign promises, instead of the infrastructure. Nevertheless, they were open to talks.{{Cite web |last=Handel |first=Tina |date=10 March 2025 |title=Grüne lehnen Finanzpläne ab: Ein Nein, ein Türöffner und ein neuer Vorschlag |trans-title=Greens reject financial plans: A no, a door opener and a new proposal |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/union-spd-gruene-absage-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310223501/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/union-spd-gruene-absage-100.html |archive-date=10 March 2025 |url-status=live}} At the same time, The Left and AfD took their case to the Federal Constitutional Court to appeal against the special sessions and the constitutional amendments in the "old" Bundestag as they felt their rights as members of parliament had been violated.{{Cite web |date=11 March 2025 |title=Finanzpaket - Nach AfD klagt auch die Linke gegen Bundestags-Sondersitzungen |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/nach-afd-klagt-auch-die-linke-gegen-bundestags-sondersitzungen-102.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=deutschlandfunk |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319065947/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/nach-afd-klagt-auch-die-linke-gegen-bundestags-sondersitzungen-102.html |archive-date=19 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=12 March 2025 |title=FAQ: Stoppt das Bundesverfassungsgericht die Bundestag-Sondersitzungen? |trans-title=FAQ: Will the Federal Constitutional Court stop the special sessions of the Bundestag? |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/faq-verfassungsgericht-bundestag-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312084314/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/faq-verfassungsgericht-bundestag-100.html |archive-date=12 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Lagmöller |first1=Alena |last2=Hempel |first2=Klaus |title=Mehrheitsverhältnisse im Bundestag: Noch schnell das Grundgesetz ändern? |trans-title=Majority ratios in the Bundestag: How quickly can the Basic Law be amended? |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/sperrminoritaet-afd-linke-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225125749/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/sperrminoritaet-afd-linke-100.html |archive-date=25 February 2025 |url-status=live}} The requests for an interim injunction were rejected by the Federal Constitutional Court on 14 March.{{Cite web |date=14 March 2025 |title=Erfolglose Eilanträge gegen die Gestaltung des Gesetzgebungsverfahrens zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes |url=https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/bvg25-026.html?nn=68112 |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Bundesverfassungsgericht [ Federal Constitutional Court ] |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315230755/https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/bvg25-026.html |archive-date=15 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=15 March 2025 |title=Erfolglose Anträge gegen Einberufung des alten Bundestages vor Zusammentritt des neu gewählten Bundestages |url=https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/bvg25-025.html?nn=68112 |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court) |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314180020/https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/bvg25-025.html |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Hyseni |first1=Egzona |last2=Kehlbach |first2=Christoph |date=14 March 2025 |title=Bundesverfassungsgericht macht Weg frei für Bundestags-Sondersitzung |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundesverfassungsgericht-eilantraege-sondersitzung-bundestag-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314202659/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundesverfassungsgericht-eilantraege-sondersitzung-bundestag-100.html |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

The first of the two special sessions was then held on 12 March in the Bundestag. The SPD and CDU/CSU motions, as well as those of the Greens and the FDP were referred to the relevant committees after a long debate.{{Cite web |date=13 March 2025 |title=Bundestag berät Finanzpaket: Angebot, Ablehung und Vorwürfe |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/finanzpaket-bundestag-sondersitzung-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315093413/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/finanzpaket-bundestag-sondersitzung-100.html |archive-date=15 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=13 March 2025 |title=Bundestag bringt Grundgesetzänderungen zur Schuldenbremse auf den Weg |url=https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw11-de-sondersitzung-1056228 |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250316163249/https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw11-de-sondersitzung-1056228 |archive-date=16 March 2025 |url-status=live}} On the same day, the minister presidents of the federal states in Berlin called for speed. In the meantime, it was uncertain whether the necessary majority in the Bundesrat existed, as it was reported that the Free Voters in Bavaria and the BSW in Brandenburg and Thuringia did not want to vote in favour of the change.{{Cite web |title=Länderchefs pochen auf raschen Beschluss zum Finanzpaket |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundeslaender-sondervermoegen-schuldenbremse-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313190518/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundeslaender-sondervermoegen-schuldenbremse-100.html |archive-date=13 March 2025 |url-status=live}} On 13 March, it was announced that the Greens, CDU and SPD had reached an agreement. According to the compromise, 100 billion of the 500 billion special funds for infrastructure will go towards climate protection. Moreover, spending on civil defence, cyber security, intelligence services and aid to countries attacked in violation of international law will all be excluded from the debt brake.{{Cite web |date=14 March 2025 |title=Das Finanzpaket für Verteidigung und Infrastruktur steht |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/schwarz-rotes-finanzpaket-einigung-gruene-100.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314175746/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/schwarz-rotes-finanzpaket-einigung-gruene-100.html |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=14 March 2025 |title=Finanzpaket: Worauf sich Union, SPD und Grüne geeinigt haben |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundestag-union-spd-gruene-schuldenbremse-sondervermoegen-faq-102.html |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314164358/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundestag-union-spd-gruene-schuldenbremse-sondervermoegen-faq-102.html |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Kirby |first=Paul |date=14 March 2025 |title=Germany is back, says Friedrich Merz after historic deal on defence and spending |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgd3d427kqo |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314191752/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgd3d427kqo |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Hubenko |first=Dymtro |date=2025-03-14 |title=Germany: Parties agree on historic debt deal |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-parties-agree-on-historic-debt-deal/a-71922888 |access-date=2025-03-17 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314184348/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-parties-agree-on-historic-debt-deal/a-71922888 |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Germany's CDU and SPD reach historic debt deal to jumpstart defence spending |url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/03/14/germanys-cdu-and-spd-reach-historic-debt-deal-to-jump-start-defence-spending |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Euronews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314190725/https://www.euronews.com/2025/03/14/germanys-cdu-and-spd-reach-historic-debt-deal-to-jump-start-defence-spending |archive-date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=German stocks, euro rally as German parties agree on historic debt deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/view-german-stocks-euro-rise-after-german-parties-agree-debt-deal-2025-03-14/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319071203/https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/view-german-stocks-euro-rise-after-german-parties-agree-debt-deal-2025-03-14/ |archive-date=19 March 2025 |url-status=live}}

On 16 March, the Bundestag Budget Committee, which is primarily responsible for the application, met. It dealt with the motions from the CDU/CSU and SPD, the Greens and the FDP. In its recommendation for a resolution, the committee proposed the already-agreed legislative text of the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens for a vote. However, the FDP's draft bill was to be rejected.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-16 |title=Drucksache 20/15117 - Beschlussempfehlung und Bericht des Haushaltsausschusses zu den Gesetzentwürfen der Fraktionen der SPD und CDU/CSU, BÜNDNIS 90/ DIE GRÜNEN bzw. FDP |url=https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/151/2015117.pdf |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de |archive-date=23 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323004410/https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/151/2015117.pdf |url-status=live}} On 17 March, the Federal Constitutional Court published several decisions on urgent petitions submitted by the AfD, The Left and the FDP or their MPs. The plaintiffs wanted the court to declare that the planning of the legislative procedure violated the plaintiffs' rights as members of parliament, as the speed of implementation did not do justice to the complexity of the matter. This would have halted the legislative process. The court dismissed the applications in summary proceedings as the potential disadvantage could not be sufficiently demonstrated. The decision in the main proceedings is still pending.{{Cite web |last1=Hyseni |first1=Egzona |last2=Bauer |first2=Max |date=2025-03-17 |title=Verfassungsgericht weist Anträge gegen Abstimmung über Finanzpaket ab |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundesverfassungsgericht-eilantraege-finanzpaket-ablehnung-100.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321210823/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundesverfassungsgericht-eilantraege-finanzpaket-ablehnung-100.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-17 |title=Weitere erfolglose Eilanträge gegen die Gestaltung des Gesetzgebungsverfahrens zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes |trans-title=Further unsuccessful urgent applications against the organisation of the legislative procedure to amend the Basic Law |url=https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/bvg25-027.html?nn=68112 |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Bundesverfassungsgericht |archive-date=19 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319044925/https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/bvg25-027.html?nn=68112 |url-status=live}}

On 18 March, the Bundestag met for its second special session. Before the debate began, Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) recalled the first free election in the GDR on 18 March 1990,{{Cite web |date=2025-03-18 |title=Bundestag - Bundestagspräsidentin Bas würdigt letzte DDR-Volkskammer |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/bundestagspraesidentin-bas-wuerdigt-letzte-ddr-volkskammer-100.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=deutschlandfunk|language=de |archive-date=18 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318123637/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/bundestagspraesidentin-bas-wuerdigt-letzte-ddr-volkskammer-100.html |url-status=live}} after which the Bundestag rejected several motions to suspend the Rules of Procedure tabled by the FDP and the AfD. The debate centred not only on the SPD, CDU/CSU, and Greens' bill, but also on that of the FDP and a motion for a resolution by the BSW entitled "No to war-mongering – yes to diplomacy and disarmament".{{Cite web |date=2025-03-18 |title=Tagesordnung und Sitzungsverlauf der 214. Sitzung |url=https://www.bundestag.de/tagesordnung?week=12&year=2025 |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de |archive-date=18 March 2025 |archive-url=

https://web.archive.org/web/20250318121801/https://www.bundestag.de/tagesordnung?week=12&year=2025 |url-status=live}}

The SPD parliamentary group leader Lars Klingbeil called it a "historic decision" for Germany and Europe. CDU/CSU leader Friedrich Merz said a "paradigm shift in defence policy" was needed to continue to guarantee Europe's security. Green parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann accused Merz of party tactics, as he had ruled out debt during the election campaign. Nevertheless, she was pleased with the compromise. The FDP party leader Christian Lindner accused the new government of "unrestrained debt creation". The AfD and The Left also criticised Merz and the legislative process.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-18 |title=Mehrheit für Reform der Schuldenbremse: 512 Abgeordnete stimmen mit ja |trans-title=Majority in favour of debt brake reform: 512 MPs vote yes |url=https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw12-de-sondersitzung-1056916 |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de |archive-date=22 March 2025 |archive-url=

https://web.archive.org/web/20250322205916/https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw12-de-sondersitzung-1056916 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Germany's Bundestag votes in favor of reforming 'debt brake' |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-bundestag-votes-in-favor-of-reforming-debt-brake/live-71956815 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318153211/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-bundestag-votes-in-favor-of-reforming-debt-brake/live-71956815 |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=DW}}

In the end, the majority of the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens voted in favour of the motion, with a total of 512 MPs voting in favour and 212 against.{{Cite news |last1=Tankersley |first1=Jim |last2=Schuetze |first2=Christopher F. |date=2025-03-18 |title=Germany Is Lifting a Foot Off Its 'Debt Brake.' Here's Why. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/world/europe/germany-debt-brake.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318191211/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/world/europe/germany-debt-brake.html |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The amendment to the Basic Law was thus passed. The vote was hailed as a victory for Friedrich Merz and a significant step toward changing the Basic Law to allow for greater flexibility in defence and infrastructure spending.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-18 |title=German parliament passes historic spending reforms |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-parliament-spending-reforms-defense-military-infrastructure-friedrich-merz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319071214/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-parliament-spending-reforms-defense-military-infrastructure-friedrich-merz/ |archive-date=19 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=POLITICO}}{{Cite web |last=Kiderlin |first=Sophie |date=2025-03-18 |title=German parliament passes historic debt reform, paving the way for higher defense spend |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/18/german-parliament-to-vote-on-fiscal-package-that-could-bring-historic-reforms.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318191115/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/18/german-parliament-to-vote-on-fiscal-package-that-could-bring-historic-reforms.html |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=CNBC}}{{Cite news |last1=Marsh |first1=Sarah |last2=Williams |first2=Matthias |date=18 March 2025 |title=German parliament approves Merz's spending surge as allies cheer |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-parliament-vote-historic-spending-surge-2025-03-18/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319070817/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-parliament-vote-historic-spending-surge-2025-03-18/ |archive-date=19 March 2025 |work=Reuters}} With the Bundestag's approval by a two-thirds majority, the proposed changes moves to the Bundesrat, where it requires approval by a two-thirds majority for full enactment. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the decision.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-19 |title=Bundestag stimmt für Finanzpaket von Union und SPD - geteiltes Echo |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/bundestag-stimmt-fuer-finanzpaket-von-union-und-spd-geteiltes-echo-102.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Deutschlandfunk |language=de |archive-date=19 March 2025 |archive-url=

https://web.archive.org/web/20250319005644/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/bundestag-stimmt-fuer-finanzpaket-von-union-und-spd-geteiltes-echo-102.html |url-status=live}}

Also on 18 March, the Free Voters, who are in government with the CSU in Bavaria, announced that they would vote in favour of the law in the Bundesrat. As such, a two-thirds majority in the Bundesrat was considered certain.{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Ben |date=2025-03-18 |title=Germany: The pivotal role of the Bundesrat |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-the-pivotal-role-of-the-bundesrat/a-71961369 |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Deutsche Welle |archive-date=23 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323095031/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-the-pivotal-role-of-the-bundesrat/a-71961369 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-17 |title=Bayern will im Bundesrat für Finanzpaket stimmen |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/finanzpaket-bayern-bundesrat-100.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=22 March 2025 |archive-url=

https://web.archive.org/web/20250322051600/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/finanzpaket-bayern-bundesrat-100.html |url-status=live}} On 21 March, the Bundesrat voted in favour of the amendment 53-16, passing the two-thirds threshold to become law. The states of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate all abstained from voting, which was counted as voting in opposition.

File:Composition of the German Bundesrat as a pie chart.svg on 21 March 2025]]

In several states (North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Bremen, and Hesse), the FDP state parliamentary groups have announced that they will appeal to the state constitutional courts against their state governments' approval of the law.{{Cite web |last=Türk |first=Wolfgang |date=2025-03-19 |title=Hessen: Mega-Schuldenpaket: Verfassungsrechtler geben FDP-Klage keine große Chance |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/hessen/hr-mega-schuldenpaket-hessen-fdp-will-klagen-afd-fordert-sondersitzung00-10p00.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=25 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325034245/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/hessen/hr-mega-schuldenpaket-hessen-fdp-will-klagen-afd-fordert-sondersitzung00-10p00.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-19 |title=FDP-Landtagsfraktionen wollen Milliardenpaket stoppen - Klage gegen Bundesratsitzung |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/fdp-landtagsfraktionen-wollen-milliardenpaket-stoppen-klage-gegen-bundesratsitzung-108.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Deutschlandfunk|language=de |archive-date=22 March 2025 |archive-url=

https://web.archive.org/web/20250322051600/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/fdp-landtagsfraktionen-wollen-milliardenpaket-stoppen-klage-gegen-bundesratsitzung-108.html |url-status=live}} The applications were all rejected as they were inadmissible. On the one hand, the state government is responsible for representing and voting for a state in the Bundesrat. This means that it alone can vote on its voting behaviour. Secondly, an individual parliamentary group is not authorised to assert the rights of a state parliament; only the state parliament itself can do this.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-19 |title=Beschluss in dem Verfahren über den Antrag auf Erlass einer einstweiligen Anordnung der FDP-Landtagsfraktion gegen die Landesregierung Nordrhein-Westfalen |url=https://www.verfgh.nrw.de/rechtsprechung/entscheidungen/2025/250319_21_25.pdf |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=Constitutional Court of North Rhine-Westphalia |language=de |archive-date=22 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322051601/https://www.verfgh.nrw.de/rechtsprechung/entscheidungen/2025/250319_21_25.pdf |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Türk |first=Wolfgang |date=2020-03-20 |title=Hessen: FDP-Klage gegen Schuldenpaket zurückgewiesen: Hessen darf zustimmen |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/hessen/hr-staatsgerichtshof-weist-fdp-klage-gegen-schuldenpaket-zurueck-100.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=22 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322051600/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/hessen/hr-staatsgerichtshof-weist-fdp-klage-gegen-schuldenpaket-zurueck-100.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Casper |first=Eva |date=2025-03-21 |title=Bundesrat: FDP scheitert mit Verfassungsklagen gegen Abstimmung zum Schuldenpaket |url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2025-03/fdp-fraktionen-klagen-abstimmung-finanzpaket-bundesrat-gescheitert |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=Die Zeit |language=de-DE |issn=0044-2070 |archive-date=23 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323104517/https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2025-03/fdp-fraktionen-klagen-abstimmung-finanzpaket-bundesrat-gescheitert |url-status=live}}

On 21 March, the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed another urgent application by the AfD to prevent the Bundesrat from meeting.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Liveblog zur Regierungsbildung am 21. März 2025 |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/newsticker/liveblog-regierungsbildung-freitag-104.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321192715/https://www.tagesschau.de/newsticker/liveblog-regierungsbildung-freitag-104.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Beschluss vom 21. März 2025 - 2 BvE 10/25 - "Alt-Bundestag VII eA II" |url=https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Entscheidungen/DE/2025/03/es20250320_2bve001025.html?nn=68112 |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court) |language=de |archive-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321150317/https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Entscheidungen/DE/2025/03/es20250320_2bve001025.html?nn=68112 |url-status=live}} The session was opened by Bundesrat President Rehlinger with a memorial speech in honour of the late Bundesrat President and Minister President Bernhard Vogel. The meeting then moved directly to the planned legislative amendments: In his speech, Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Winfried Kretschmann praised the extension of the 500 billion infrastructure package to include climate protection. He said: "More climate protection is a core task of this century." Nevertheless, he lamented a "feeling of disruption" due to the rapid legislative process.

Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder called for the money from the infrastructure package to be distributed and utilised sensibly. He said it is "not a self-service shop for any projects". He also called for a long-term repayment plan.{{Cite web |last=Emundts |first=Corinna |title=Warum der Bundesrat für das Finanzpaket gestimmt hat |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundesrat-finanzpaket-100.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=Tagesschau |language=de|archive-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=

https://web.archive.org/web/20250321182148/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundesrat-finanzpaket-100.html |url-status=live}} Regardless of party affiliation, almost all speakers welcomed the easing of the debt brake for the federal states and called on the federal government to significantly speed up the planning and award procedures for contracts from the infrastructure package and to quickly pass the necessary implementation laws in order to eliminate the "ailing infrastructure" and the "investment backlog" (both terms used by several speakers) as quickly as possible. Bremen's head of government Andreas Bovenschulte said: "What use is the most beautiful special fund if we can't manage it in practice?"{{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Bundesrat: Zweidrittelmehrheit stimmt für Milliardenpaket |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/bundesrat-finanzpaket-schulden-grundgesetz-abstimmung-100.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=ZDFheute |language=de|archive-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321173822/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/bundesrat-finanzpaket-schulden-grundgesetz-abstimmung-100.html |url-status=live}}

In the end, all federal states except Brandenburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia voted in favour; the others abstained. The reason for this was the disagreement between the coalition partners. While the CDU and SPD each wanted approval, the BSW and FDP wanted the proposal to be rejected. In such cases, the state abstains. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signed the law on 22 March.{{Cite web |title=Steinmeier unterschreibt Grundgesetzänderung für das Finanzpaket |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/finanzpaket-steinmeier-unterschrift-100.html |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Tagesschau |language=de |archive-date=22 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322211341/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/finanzpaket-steinmeier-unterschrift-100.html |url-status=live}}

{{See|Merz cabinet}}

With the announcement of the exploratory paper by the CDU/CSU and SPD on March 8, 2025, both parties indicated that they wanted to start coalition negotiations quickly. On March 13, the working groups began their work after a kick-off meeting between the party executive committees and their leaders. {{Cite web |last=Christian Democratic Union |author-link=Christian Democratic Union of Germany |title=Koalitionsverhandlungen zwischen CDU, CSU und SPD |url=https://www.cdu.de/koalitionsverhandlungen/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=CDU |language=de-DE}} Each working group consisted of six representatives from the CDU, three from the CSU and seven from the SPD. There were 16 working groups in total, as well as a steering group that dealt with the working methods of the government and parliamentary groups, electoral law and the responsibilities of the working groups in the event of overlaps. {{Cite web |last= |date=2025-03-08 |title=Union und SPD wollen Koalitionsverhandlungen aufnehmen |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/abschluss-sondierungen-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}

According to a publicly released handout on the coalition negotiations by the party leaders, there were strict guidelines regarding publicity; for example, there were to be “no statements, no press conferences, no communication of interim results, no selfies, etc.”.{{Cite web |last=Emundts |first=Corinna |date=2025-03-13 |title=Union und SPD: Wie die Koalitionsverhandlungen ablaufen |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/koalitionsverhandlungen-union-spd-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}

By March 24 at the latest, all working groups had presented the final papers on their topics after some difficult debates. {{Cite web |last=Beckmann |first=Anna-Lou |date=2025-03-24 |title=Koalitionsverhandlungen: Arbeitsgruppen sollen Ergebnisse abliefern |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/verhandlungen-koalition-arbeitsgruppen-ergebnisse-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}} Although these were also supposed to be kept secret, they were all leaked relatively quickly. {{Cite web |date=2025-03-26 |title=Koalitionsverhandlungen: Darüber streiten Union und SPD |url=https://fragdenstaat.de/artikel/exklusiv/2025/03/koalitionsverhandlungen-cducsuspd/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=FragDenStaat |language=de}} As can be seen from the papers, the CDU/CSU and SPD reached agreement on certain points, but many problems, especially major ones, were written into the final papers without agreement, in square brackets in which the respective demands were included. {{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Worüber Union und SPD bei den Koalitionsverhandlungen noch streiten |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/union-spd-koalitionsverhandlungen-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}} According to media reports, the negotiators in the finance working group in particular were far apart and, judging by the final paper, were only able to agree on a few points. The parties also disagreed on the digital ministry demanded by Friedrich Merz.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-22 |title=Koalitionsverhandlungen: Mit offenen Streitfragen in den Endspurt |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/koalitionsverhandlungen-stand-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}} Nevertheless, both sides were optimistic that the new government would be formed.

This was followed by the second, three-day “drafting phase”, during which the parties reviewed and compiled the results of the negotiations for themselves before the final round of negotiations began on March 28 in the so-called 19-party round. In addition to the party leaders, it also included CDU secetary general Carsten Linnemann and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. {{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Wie geht es mit den Koalitionsverhandlungen weiter? |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/regierungsbildung-spd-cdu-zeitplan-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}} The aim of these negotiations is the coalition agreement, which the coalition partners want to have in place by Easter. Although this goal was already very ambitious at the time, the party leaders were confident. Deputy CDU chairwoman and later Education Minister Karin Prien said that there was still a lot of time before Easter. "Our country needs a new government. But we will not allow ourselves to be pressured into bad results, we want good results for our country." {{Cite web |last=Beckmann |first=Anna-Lou |date=2025-03-24 |title=Koalitionsverhandlungen: Union und SPD warnen vor Zeitdruck |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/verhandlungen-koalition-arbeitsgruppen-ergebnisse-102.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}

Major disagreements that needed to be resolved included financial and tax policy, migration and defense.

After sometimes lengthy negotiations, the party executives of the CDU, CSU and SPD jointly announced their coalition agreement on April 9, 2025. At the presentation, Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz described the coalition agreement as a strong signal to citizens and Europe. The political center is capable of solving the country's problems. During the negotiations, a relationship of trust was established with the SPD leaders Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil. Merz expects the new federal government to be able to get to work at the beginning of May.{{Cite web |title=German parties agree to form a new government after months of drift in Europe's biggest economy |url=https://apnews.com/article/germany-merz-new-government-coalition-merz-berlin-591d8dfc11836e282ca8871ff41d0ffa |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=AP News |date=9 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410220537/https://apnews.com/article/germany-merz-new-government-coalition-merz-berlin-591d8dfc11836e282ca8871ff41d0ffa |archive-date=10 April 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Germany's Merz seals government deal bringing end to months of stalemate|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2xxd4v6dzo |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=9 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409180920/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2xxd4v6dzo |archive-date=9 April 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/koalitionsverhandlungen-cdu-csu-spd-koalition-bundestag-liveblog-100.html |title=Koalitionsverhandlungen: Einigung zwischen Union und SPD |date=9 April 2025 |language=de |access-date=11 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411043311/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/koalitionsverhandlungen-cdu-csu-spd-koalition-bundestag-liveblog-100.html |archive-date=11 April 2025 |url-status=live}} On 11 April, it was agreed that Merz would be elected chancellor on 6 May.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-merz-set-be-elected-chancellor-may-6-source-says-2025-04-11/ |title=Germany's Merz set to be elected chancellor on May 6, sources say |date=11 April 2025 |language=en |access-date=12 April 2025}} SPD leader Lars Klingbeil emphasized that savings would create leeway for project agreements. Much is subject to funding. That is why the draft of the coalition agreement often speaks of “want”, not “will”. But, according to Klingbeil, the coalition agreement offers the potential for Germany to emerge stronger from this period.

Naturally, the opposition strongly criticized the coalition agreement. Opposition leader Alice Weidel (AfD) described it as a “document of capitulation”. In her opinion, the paper “bears the signature of the election loser SPD”. The paper "bears the signature of the election loser SPD throughout". The CDU/CSU had "bamboozled and lied to the citizens with false election promises" and not a single election promise had been kept. In addition, the government program does not address the important challenges facing the country. The Greens criticized the coalition agreement as a major disappointment: the coalition agreement contained nothing for people in particular, nor did it address social issues or education. "This coalition has money like hay, but ideas like straw," explained Green co-leader Brantner. The Left Party, meanwhile, described the coalition agreement as a "document of ignorance towards hard-working people and the major challenges of our time". FDP politician Christian Dürr also criticized the plans of the CDU/CSU and SPD. According to Dürr, Germany will be ruled by despondency in the future and the promised policy change will not materialize. BSW Chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht explained that the coalition agreement does not provide an answer to the economic crisis and trade war. As a result, the coalition would further strengthen the AfD. {{Cite web |last=Ellermann |first=Eva |date=2025-04-09 |title=Opposition zerpflückt Koalitionsvertrag von Union und SPD |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/reaktionen-koalitionsvertrag-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}

However, in order for the coalition to begin its work, the parties had to agree to the terms of the coalition agreement. The CSU did this on April 10 with a unanimous decision by the party executive as well as the CSU regional group in the Bundestag and the Bavarian CSU state parliamentary group.{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-04-10 |title=Liveblog zur Regierungsbildung: ++ Minister wohl erst nach Kanzlerwahl ++ |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/newsticker/liveblog-neue-bundesregierung-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}} On April 28, the CDU federal committee also voted in favor with an “overwhelming majority”, according to the chairman of the meeting and Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer. On the same day, the CDU announced its ministers.{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-04-28 |title=Kleiner Parteitag der CDU stimmt Koalitionsvertrag zu |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/cdu-parteitag-zustimmung-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}{{Cite web |last=Frühauf |first=Sarah |date=2025-04-28 |title=Wen Merz ins Kabinett ruft - und warum |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/minister-union-kabinett-merz-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}} For the SPD, as always, the party base was allowed to decide on participation in the coalition. A good 358,000 party members were called upon to cast their votes by April 29. The youth organization of the SPD, the Jusos, announced before the vote that they wanted to speak out against the agreement, as they did not see central election promises fulfilled. Nevertheless, according to the SPD, 84.6% of those who voted were in favor of the coalition agreement and 15.4% against; the majority was thus higher than in the votes on the grand coalitions in 2013 (76%) and 2018 (66%). At just under 56%, the turnout was above the required 20%. {{Cite web |last= |date=2025-04-30 |title=SPD-Mitglieder stimmen für Koalition mit CDU und CSU |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/spd-mitgliederentscheid-108.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}} On May 5, the SPD then also announced its ministers before the coalition agreement was signed on the same day.{{|Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=Spitzen von Union und SPD unterzeichnen Koalitionsvertrag |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/koalitionsvertrag-unterzeichnet-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}

On the same day, former Chancellor Olaf Scholz was bid farewell with military honors. {{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=Großer Zapfenstreich: Scholz verabschiedet sich mit einem Appell |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/scholz-grosser-zapfenstreich-100.html |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}

{{See|Merz cabinet#Chancellor election}}

After the party leaders of the CDU, CSU and SPD signed their coalition agreement, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially proposed Friedrich Merz to Bundestag President Julia Klöckner for election as Chancellor, which was put to the vote the next day by secret ballot.{{Cite web |last=Bundespräsident, Federal President`s Office |date=2025-05-06 |title=Ernennung des Bundeskanzlers und des Bundeskabinetts |url=https://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Berichte/DE/Frank-Walter-Steinmeier/2025/05/250506-Ernennung-BK-BReg.html |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Der Bundespräsident |language=de}}

Although the CDU/CSU and SPD had 328 of 630 members of the Bundestag, in the first round of voting Merz received only 310 votes, below the required 316. This is the first time this has happened in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. After the election result was announced, the session was interrupted.{{cite news |last1=Knoelle |first1=Kirsti |last2=Chambers |first2=Madeline |last3=Marsh |first3=Sarah |last4=Heine |first4=Friederike |name-list-style=and |date=6 May 2025 |editor-last=Williams |editor-first=Matthias |title=Germany's Merz fails to be elected chancellor in shock first-round vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/merz-fails-be-elected-chancellor-by-german-parliament-2025-05-06/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250506094121/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/merz-fails-be-elected-chancellor-by-german-parliament-2025-05-06/ |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |work=Reuters |location=Berlin}}{{Cite web |last=Kirby |first=Paul |last2=Parker |first2=Jessica |date=2025-05-06 |title=Germany's Merz wins vote for chancellor after surviving historic defeat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp22zlrgko |url-status= |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Steinhauer |first=Irina |date=2025-05-06 |title=Friedrich Merz mit 325 Stimmen zum Bundeskanzler gewählt |url=https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw19-de-kanzlerwahl-1062470 |url-status= |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-05-06 |title=Merz scheitert im ersten Wahlgang bei Kanzlerwahl |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/kanzlerwahl-merz-100.html |url-status= |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}

According to [https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#p0296 Article 63 (3) of the Basic Law], the election of the Chancellor was now in the second phase: within a period of 14 days, i.e. until 20 May, a quarter of the members of the Bundestag could nominate a candidate for election as Federal Chancellor. The number of ballots is not predetermined and is theoretically unlimited. If a candidate is elected in one of these ballots, the President must appoint him or her.

Surprised by his failure to win enough votes, Merz's coalition asked the parliament's legal department whether a second vote could be held the same day.{{Cite news |last=Benoit |first=Bertrand |date=2025-05-06 |title=Germany's Merz Becomes Chancellor on Second Try but Emerges Weakened |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/germanys-merz-suffers-embarrassing-setback-in-bid-to-be-confirmed-chancellor-93674621?mod=itp_wsj,djemITP_h |access-date=2025-05-07 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}} During the adjournment of the session, the factions of the Bundestag discussed a second round of voting. All parliamentary groups agreed that the second round of voting should take place on 6 May. The CDU/CSU and SPD parliamentary groups once again put forward Friedrich Merz as their candidate. He was elected in the second round of voting. He was then appointed Chancellor by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and sworn in to the Bundestag. The federal ministers were then appointed by Federal President Steinmeier and then sworn in by the Bundestag. {{Cite web |last= |date=2025-05-06 |title=Erfolg im zweiten Wahlgang: Merz zum Bundeskanzler gewählt |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-kanzler-wahl-100.html |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}

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