German Bundestag Dissolved as Early Elections Scheduled for February 2025

President Steinmeier approves Chancellor Scholz's request for parliamentary dissolution following a failed confidence vote, with parties gearing up for a contentious campaign.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially dissolved the Bundestag, setting February 23, 2025, as the date for early elections after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote earlier this month.
SPD leader Rolf Mützenich expressed openness to renewed cooperation with the FDP, despite tensions after the collapse of the coalition, but emphasized the importance of unity among democratic parties against the AfD.
CDU candidate Friedrich Merz called for stricter migration policies following a recent attack in Magdeburg, while Scholz criticized Merz for inconsistent positions on Ukraine military aid.
Economic concerns dominate the campaign, with experts warning of potential reform stagnation and rising inequality as political parties outline their platforms.
The SPD signaled willingness to adjust the Bürgergeld system to address perceived abuses, while maintaining support for vulnerable populations and addressing broader social inequities.