Germany’s Upcoming Election: A Nation at a Crossroads
As German voters head to the polls on Sunday, they will face a multitude of challenges that threaten the country’s economic stability, security, and position in Europe. An economic slump, an immigration crisis, and the shifting global landscape are all on the minds of voters as they decide who will lead Germany through these tumultuous times.
The German federal election, also known as Bundestagswahl, is held every four years to elect the members of the Bundestag, Germany's federal parliament.
The process involves a multi-party system where voters elect representatives from their constituency.
The party with the most seats in the Bundestag forms the government, and its leader becomes the Chancellor.
German citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to vote.
The election is typically held on a Sunday in September or October.
The general election was not supposed to take place until September, but a series of events, including the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz‘s coalition government, has led to a snap election. The latest polling data shows the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) alongside its Bavarian sister CSU party in the lead with 29% of the vote, followed closely by the far-right Alternative for Germany or AfD Party with 20%. Scholz‘s Social Democrats trail behind with 16%.
The CDU’s candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is likely to emerge as the largest vote-getter and thus be in the position of forming a coalition government. However, his potential leadership has sparked concern among voters. ‘I’m just worried that after the election that it will take maybe two months for a coalition government to form,’ says Jana Puglierin, director of the Berlin office at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Friedrich Merz is a German politician and former chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany.
Born on November 11, 1955, in Plettenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz studied law at the University of Münster.
He entered politics in the late 1980s and served as a member of the Bundestag from 1994 to 2019.
Merz has been involved in various leadership roles within the CDU, including chairman of the parliamentary group and acting party leader.
The next government will face numerous challenges, including an economic recession, a national debate over migration, and navigating a new global security order. The Trump administration’s decision to work with Russia to bring an end to Moscow’s war in Ukraine without inviting Europe or Ukraine to the negotiating table has left Germany and its European allies feeling uncertain about their place in the world.
Friedrich Merz is a 69-year-old conservative who hails from a family of lawyers. He has served as a CDU member of parliament and worked as a corporate lawyer and member of the supervisory board for the German branch of Blackrock, the largest asset management company in the world. His longtime colleague Norbert Röttgen describes Merz as a politician of conviction with strong beliefs: ‘Societally conservative, traditional values and a strong, free-market conviction that liberal markets serve the people.’
Röttgen believes that Merz’s convictions will prove useful in navigating Germany through these difficult times. However, Puglierin notes that Merz will be constrained by his coalition partner and the German population. ‘I think Merz, by disposition, would be more open to also support Ukraine more decisively,’ she says.
After coalition talks and tackling a budget left on the table by the Scholz administration, it may take months before Merz has the opportunity to put his mark on Germany. Hints of how he will lead have trickled out in recent weeks, including his agreement to work with the AfD to pass a motion that would have toughened up Germany’s immigration policy.
Voters are divided about Merz’s potential leadership. Ute Wolters, a 64-year-old architect from Lower Saxony, worries that he will go back on his promise not to enter into a coalition government with the AfD. On the other hand, Ulrich Hinz, a 74-year-old retired businessman from Frankfurt, believes that Merz’s pro-European outlook could help Germany navigate its complex relationships with Europe and the rest of the world. ‘We need a chancellor and a government that is more European and one that can get along better with the French, Italians and the Poles,’ he says.
Germany is a key player in European politics and economy, with its strategic location at the heart of Europe.
The country has been a driving force behind several European initiatives, including the creation of the eurozone and the EU's single market.
“The EU is indispensable for Germany” , said Germany's Minister of Foreign Affairs in an interview with ‘Der Spiegel’ magazine.
Germany has also played a crucial role in mediating conflicts within the EU, such as the Greek debt crisis.
According to a 2020 survey by the Pew Research Center, 74% of Germans have a positive view of the EU, highlighting the country's commitment to European integration.
