German election 2025

Europe News

Merz secures billion-euro deal for German military and infrastructure

A provision would exempt defence spending above 1% of GDP from debt brake rules, enabling Germany to increase military spending without limit.

4 March 2025

Europe News

CDU and SPD start talks in bid to form next German government

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democrats, has ruled out a coalition with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which finished second in last week's elections.

28 February 2025

Climate

Where does Germany’s election result leave its climate ambitions?

What will Europe’s biggest emitter do next? Politicians, energy experts and campaigners share their hopes and fears.

26 February 2025

Europe News

What's at stake for Europe after the German election?

With domestic problems and foreign policy crises looming large, the pressure is on to form a new government in Berlin.

25 February 2025

Germany

AfD's Krah to join German parliament despite controversial past

The MEP resigned from running as the lead candidate for the German far-right party in the European elections following controversy over comments he made about members of the Nazis' notorious SS unit.

25 February 2025

Europe News

Germany's Merz ‘resolute and determined,' former EU chief Barroso says

Merz’s centre-right CDU emerged as the largest party in Sunday’s federal elections, winning 208 seats in the 630-seat German parliament.

25 February 2025

Europe

Will Merz rekindle the Franco-German flame?

The Franco-German partnership, historically central to key decisions in Brussels, has been strained over the past three years. This is due in part to domestic political crises in both France and Germany, as well as significant differences in the leadership styles of French President Emmanuel Macron.

25 February 2025

Europe News

Merz: German government coalition talks between CDU and SPD to begin

The centre-right party's leader Friedrich Merz said CDU and SPD are to enter talks to form a coalition, one day after the German election on Sunday.

24 February 2025

Germany

Germany’s Merz aims to lead Europe with US involvement 'dwindling'

The centre-right CDU's leader has committed himself to taking a more active role in the bloc in the midst of what he says is declining transatlantic interest in Europe.

24 February 2025

Germany

BSW's Sahra Wagenknecht mulls challenging German election results

The left-wing conservative BSW party fell just short of the 5% threshold to enter the Bundestag with a nail-biting share of 4.97% of the vote on Sunday.

24 February 2025

Business

Germany’s ‘Grand Coalition’ takes shape: What it means for the economy

Germany's election delivered a fragmented result, with CDU/CSU winning 28.5% but needing SPD to form a ‘Grand Coalition.’ Economists see challenges in reforming the debt brake, while markets watch for policy shifts on investment and fiscal rules.

24 February 2025

Tech News

German centre-right win heralds likely digital ministry 

Industry groups have called for a ministry dedicated to digital affairs.

24 February 2025

Europe News

German elections: CDU wins, Merz aims for coalition by Easter

With all constituencies counted, the centre-right Christian Democratic Union has claimed victory, while minnows, including the left-conservative BSW, barely missed the threshold to enter parliament.

24 February 2025

Europe

After Merz’s victory, what to expect from Germany?

Germany's election saw turnout amongst the highest since the country’s reunification 35 years ago, alongside a strong performance by the far-right Alternative for Germany, which nearly doubled its support and achieved the best result for a far-right party since World War II.

24 February 2025

Europe News

Who won and who lost in German federal elections: Four key takeaways

Germany's election reshapes the political scene, with the far right and far left parties on the rise and coalition chaos and uncertainty for the minnows on the cards. Will CDU's Merz be able to form a coalition until Easter?

23 February 2025

Germany

It's time to rev up Germany's economic engine

Without decisive action, Germany risks stagnation. But with the right reforms, the country can repair and rev up its stuttering economic engine, Alex Roth writes.

23 February 2025