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Reichstag building in Berlin

German election 2025

Friedrich Merz's center-right CDU, together with its CSU sister party, won Germany's 2025 parliamentary election. The far-right populist Alternative for Germany saw massive support across the east, coming in second.

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Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

German ballot partially covered by buttons with German parties' symbols

Russia's war emigrants pursue careers in German politics

Russia's war emigrants pursue careers in German politics

Young Russians who found refuge in Germany have become engaged in local politics. DW tells their stories.
ConflictsJune 7, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes CDU leader Friedrich Merz for a State Banquet at Bellevue presidential palace in Berlin on May 26, 2024, during the French president's state visit.

How Merz aims to regain Germany's standing on foreign issues

How Merz aims to regain Germany's standing on foreign issues

Can Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz restore trust at home and reclaim the country's global influence?
PoliticsMay 6, 202503:19 min
Friedrich Merz smiling as he gets appointed by the President on May 6, 2025

Germany's new chancellor: Who is Friedrich Merz?

Germany's new chancellor: Who is Friedrich Merz?

He's never had a top government job, yet became Germany's tenth chancellor. A look at the life of Friedrich Merz.
PoliticsMay 6, 2025
Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz is applauded after being elected new chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Merz becomes German chancellor after shock first-round loss

Merz becomes German chancellor after shock first-round loss

After a shocking early setback, the 325-vote win marks a rocky start to the conservative’s four-year chancellorship.
PoliticsMay 6, 202502:22 min
Friedrich Merz, head of the German Christian Democrats (CDU), speaks at a party congress

Who is Germany's would-be chancellor, Friedrich Merz?

Who is Germany's would-be chancellor, Friedrich Merz?

CDU leader Friedrich Merz is set to be elected as German chancellor. He will be facing a long list of challenges.
PoliticsMay 6, 202504:05 min
Friedrich Merz after his failure to secure a majority in the Bundestag in the first round of voting

Why is Friedrich Merz so unpopular with the public?

Why is Friedrich Merz so unpopular with the public?

Most Germans don't trust CDU chief Friedrich Merz — not least because of his approach to the far-right AfD.
PoliticsMay 6, 2025
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Skip next section A closer look

A closer look

German Politics | Themenseite | Bundestag und Symbolbilder
Image: K. Steinkamp/blickwinkel/IMAGO

German politics — some basics

Germany is holding early elections on February 23, 2025. Here is some background on parties, candidates and procedures.

Why Germany's fringe parties can halt key decisions

PoliticsFebruary 28, 202501:48 min

German election results explained in graphics

PoliticsFebruary 27, 2025

Why is it getting harder to form a German government?

PoliticsFebruary 21, 202500:48 min
All 23 stories
Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

A view of AfD co-leader Alice Weidel raising her right hand during a party convention (file photo)

Who is Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's far-right AfD?

DW takes a closer look at Alice Weidel, the woman who's become the public face of Germany's far right.
PoliticsMay 2, 202502:28 min
From left to right: Donald Trump, Friedrich Merz, Vladimir Putin in close-up shots

How will Trump, Putin shape Germany's foreign policy?

Germany's Social Democrats and Conservatives are about to form a coalition amid the global economic and political chaos.
PoliticsApril 11, 2025
Friedrich Merz

Who is Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor?

Merz has a checkered history — from challenging Angela Merkel to causing controversy by aligning with the far right.
PoliticsApril 9, 2025
Friedrich Merz and Lars Klingbeil sitting in the Bundestag

Germany: Government talks hit snags

The CDU/CSU and SPD negotiations are making slow progress. Immigration and taxes are the main sticking points.
PoliticsMarch 25, 2025
General view taken as the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz jumps on stage to address a press conference

Europe turns to Germany's Merz for leadership and stability

Germans have backed conservative Friedrich Merz to lead Germany, and by extension Europe. Can he rise to expectations?
PoliticsFebruary 24, 2025
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (l) in conversation with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius at NATO headquarters

Germany's new government will face foreign policy challenges

As the US scales back its commitments to European defense, Germany will have to step up to the plate.
PoliticsFebruary 19, 2025
Skip next section Specials & Events

Specials & Events

The logo of the podcast showing the words "Berlin Briefing" with a symbol of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin above lines like sound waves.

New podcast

DW's Berlin Briefing is a weekly podcast that explores the key geopolitical issues affecting Germany and Europe.
Learn more
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