On Sunday, Germany will hold a snap national election, triggered by the recent collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government. Current polling shows that Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has fallen to third place, trailing behind Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc (CDU/CSU), which is projected to come in first. Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) stands to achieve its highest result ever in the country’s political landscape.
As election day unfolds, key times to look out for include the closing of polls at 6:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. GMT), with exit polls expected to provide early insights into the election outcome shortly afterward. The initial local constituency results from the German Federal Returning Officer are anticipated around 9:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. GMT). Full reporting from all constituencies is expected to conclude by Sunday night, allowing for projections of the distribution of seats in the new Bundestag.
This election may usher in a period of political uncertainty for Germany, as the winning party is expected to enter coalition negotiations to secure a governing majority. The potential for a strong performance by the AfD could complicate these coalition talks, especially given their current exclusion from power. Nevertheless, the election presents an opportunity for voters to express their preferences amid a shifting political landscape, suggesting that change could be on the horizon for Germany’s governance.
This pivotal moment could pave the way for new coalitions and fresh approaches to the country’s pressing issues, including economic challenges. As the results unfold, the implications of this election will be closely watched, both domestically and across Europe.