Elections in Germany 2025: These Are the Three Candidates for Chancellor

This Sunday, February 23, 2025, Germany will hold federal elections to determine the composition of the Bundestag and elect the next chancellor. These elections are crucial as the new government will need to address economic challenges and combat illegal immigration.

Main Candidates for Chancellor

Friedrich Merz (CDU/CSU): Leader of the Christian Democratic Union-Christian Social Union. His campaign focuses on conservative policies and Germany's economic recovery.

Olaf Scholz (SPD): Current chancellor and leader of the Social Democratic Party, Scholz seeks reelection. However, his popularity has decreased due to political instability and conflicts within his governing coalition.

Alice Weidel (AfD): Candidate of Alternative for Germany, Weidel is the first woman to lead this new right-wing party. Her campaign has focused on anti-immigration policies, which has increased her support in conservative sectors. She is reportedly the favorite in the polls to become chancellor.

The 2025 elections are taking place in a climate of political instability marked by foreign interference, violence and distrust in the political system.  AfD's rise has influenced political discourse, focusing the debate on issues such as immigration, economy and security.

Coalition formation will be essential as no party would obtain an absolute majority. It is anticipated that Merz could form a coalition with SPD or with the Greens as junior partners. However, the refusal of traditional parties to collaborate with AfD complicates the political landscape.

The election campaign has been marked by attempts of foreign interference and the spread of disinformation, especially on social media. These actions aim to influence public opinion and destabilize the German democratic process.

The elections are expected to result in a reconfiguration of the German political landscape. AfD's performance and its possible position as the second political force could redefine alliances and strategies of traditional parties. Forming a stable coalition will be crucial to address the economic and social challenges Germany currently faces.

Germany's federal elections in 2025 represent a turning point in the country's politics. The results will determine not only future leadership but also the direction Germany will take on key issues such as economy, immigration and international relations.