Introduction

Several major political parties in Germany are gearing up for the snap federal election scheduled for February 23, 2025. This election comes after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government. The main parties involved are:

Major Parties

Social Democratic Party (SPD)

Currently led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Scholz has been officially named as the party’s top candidate for the upcoming election

Polling at around 15% in recent opinion polls

Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU)

The main opposition coalition

Led by Friedrich Merz

Currently leading in opinion polls with about 33% support

Alternative for Germany (AfD)

Far-right party

Gaining momentum with approximately 18% support in polls

Green Party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen)

Former coalition partner in Scholz’s government

Has chosen Robert Habeck as their chancellor candidate

Currently polling around 11%

Free Democratic Party (FDP)

Led by Christian Lindner, the former Finance Minister

Was part of Scholz’s coalition before its collapse

Election Context

The snap election was triggered after Chancellor Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leading to the breakdown of the “traffic light” coalition comprising the SPD, Greens, and FDP.

This political upheaval has thrown Europe’s largest economy into a state of uncertainty, coinciding with other global events that have raised questions about the continent’s economic and security future.

Conclusion

The election campaign is expected to be highly competitive, with parties positioning themselves to address key issues facing Germany. The outcome of this election will be crucial in determining the future direction of German politics and its role in the European Union.