Germany sets new elections for February 23 after coalition dissolution

Germany’s major political parties have agreed to hold new federal elections on February 23, 2025, following the recent breakup of the governing coalition.

After weeks of debate, the SPD and CDU/CSU parliamentary groups reached consensus on the date, with FDP and Greens expected to support the proposal. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier must formally confirm the date, but he is expected to endorse it without objection, Caliber.Az reports via `German media.

The decision to hold the election on February 23 brings clarity to the timeline for Germany’s political future. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to initiate a vote of confidence in the Bundestag before Christmas, a move expected to expedite the process toward early elections.

According to SPD parliamentary leader Rolf Mützenich, Scholz will submit a written request for the confidence vote on December 11, with the vote itself scheduled for December 16. A defeat in this vote would trigger the formal steps toward early elections. In that scenario, President Steinmeier would have 21 days to dissolve the Bundestag, followed by a 60-day period in which the election must be held, aligning with the agreed-upon February 23 date.

The February 23 election date coincides with school holidays in Saxony, while in Saarland, it falls on the weekend just before the holiday break, potentially impacting voter turnout as some residents may be traveling. Combined, these two states represent about six percent of eligible voters. Meanwhile, Hamburg’s local election has been rescheduled for March 2, ensuring it does not overlap with the federal vote.

Following the coalition’s dissolution on November 6, Scholz initially advocated for a March election. However, amid mounting pressure, he expressed a willingness to compromise on November 10. "If everyone agrees that I should put forth a confidence vote before Christmas, that’s not a problem for me," Scholz stated during an interview on ARD’s program with Caren Miosga. After discussions between SPD leader Rolf Mützenich and CDU/CSU leader Friedrich Merz, the two factions have agreed on the February date.

Federal Election Commissioner Ruth Brand endorsed the February timeline, stating that the dates were both "legally and practically feasible" during a Bundestag committee session. Brand had voiced concerns over a possible January 19 election date, initially proposed by Merz, citing it as “challenging” to implement.

With a clear election date now in sight, Germany is moving toward a pivotal vote that could reshape its political landscape in the wake of the coalition breakup.