Germany Prepares for 2025 Bundestag Election Under New Voting Rules

The February 23 election marks the first under a reformed system limiting Bundestag seats to 630 and eliminating overhang mandates.

The 2025 Bundestag election was called early following the collapse of the Ampel coalition government.
A major electoral reform reduces the Bundestag to 630 seats, eliminating overhang and compensation mandates.
The new rules mean some candidates who win their districts may not enter the Bundestag if their party's overall vote share does not support additional seats.
Approximately 59.2 million Germans are eligible to vote, with many expected to use mail-in ballots as in previous elections.
Key contests include high-profile matchups in districts such as Kaiserslautern and Kreuznach/Birkenfeld, alongside shifts in district boundaries due to population changes.