German President dissolves parliament, snap elections set for February 23

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved the Bundestag, the country’s lower house of parliament, paving the way for snap elections on February 23, 2025. The move comes in the wake of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-way coalition collapsing earlier this month, triggering a political crisis in Europe’s largest economy.

The breakdown of Scholz’s government followed the departure of the Free Democrats (FDP), led by Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who pulled out of the coalition citing irreconcilable policy differences. The chancellor subsequently lost a parliamentary confidence vote, leaving his Social Democrats (SPD) without a governing majority.

The upcoming elections mark a critical juncture for Germany, with the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, positioned as the frontrunner. Recent polls show the CDU with a commanding lead of over 10 percentage points ahead of the SPD. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged to second place, narrowly ahead of Scholz’s party, while the Greens are trailing in fourth.

Merz, who has been critical of Scholz’s administration, accused the outgoing government of “overregulating” the economy and stifling growth. “GermanGerm needs a fresh start,” Merz said at a campaign event in Berlin on Friday. “We must focus on unleashing the potential of our businesses and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.”

The rise of the AfD, which has gained traction in economically struggling regions, further complicates the political landscape. While mainstream parties have ruled out any cooperation with the far-right party, its significant presence in parliament could make forming a stable coalition challenging.

Experts predict that post-election negotiations could be prolonged, with potential coalition scenarios including another SPD-Green-FDP alliance, albeit on weaker terms, or a grand coalition between the CDU and SPD.

The election campaign is expected to focus on economic issues, climate policies, and immigration, with parties vying to address growing voter discontent amid slowing economic growth and high inflation.

Germany’s next government will face the pressing task of stabilizing Europe’s largest economy and navigating an increasingly fragmented political environment. As the campaign gains momentum, all eyes will be on February 23, when Germans head to the polls to decide their country’s future.