Germany Prepares for February Bundestag Election Amid Political Shifts

The February 23 election follows the collapse of the coalition government, with migration policy and party alignments dominating the campaign.

The Bundestag election was triggered by the collapse of the SPD-led coalition in November 2024, following Chancellor Olaf Scholz's failed confidence vote.
Key campaign issues include migration policy, with stark divisions between parties on proposed reforms and collaboration strategies.
Friedrich Merz's CDU leads in polls, followed by the AfD and SPD, while the Greens and FDP face challenges in maintaining voter support.
New election rules aim to reduce the Bundestag's size to 630 seats, eliminating overhang and compensation mandates.
The election date poses logistical challenges, including shortened timelines for brief voting and voter preparation.