Germany Sets Date for National Election Amid Coalition Struggles

Germany will hold its next national election on September 28, 2025. Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to run for a second term despite declining popularity and internal conflicts within his three-party coalition. The election date was confirmed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Recent European Parliament elections were unfavorable for the governing parties.

Germany's upcoming national election has been scheduled for September 28, 2025. Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed his intention to seek a second term despite both his party and coalition partners experiencing a steep decline in popularity due to ongoing internal conflicts.

On Friday, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's office announced that the head of state officially endorsed the government's recommendation, formally setting the election date for the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament. The Bundestag will subsequently elect the chancellor after weeks, or even months, of coalition discussions.

Chancellor Scholz has managed a coalition comprising his center-left Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Free Democrats since December 2021. Although this coalition integrates parties not typically aligned, it has gained notoriety for recurrent disagreements and revisiting previously-settled policies.

Last week, coalition leaders finalized details for the 2025 budget following a delay caused by a new dispute, further tarnishing the government's image. The European Parliament elections in June ended dismally for the governing parties, while the opposition Union bloc and the far-right Alternative for Germany showed stronger performances.

The Union, which governed Germany for 16 years until 2021 under former Chancellor Angela Merkel, has not yet selected its candidate to challenge Scholz in the 2025 election. Selection will occur after three upcoming state elections in the former communist eastern region, a stronghold for the Alternative for Germany.

Germany remains the most populous EU member and Europe's largest economy. National elections are mandated to occur between 46 to 48 months after the beginning of a parliamentary term, with the last one held on September 26, 2021.