Germany's 21st Bundestag Convenes as Coalition Talks Continue

Julia Klöckner elected Bundestagspräsidentin; Olaf Scholz remains caretaker Chancellor as CDU/CSU and SPD negotiate unresolved policy disputes.

The 21st legislative period of the Bundestag has officially begun, with Julia Klöckner elected as Bundestagspräsidentin by a majority vote.
Olaf Scholz received his Entlassungsurkunde from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and will continue as caretaker Chancellor until a new government is formed.
Coalition negotiations between CDU/CSU and SPD remain unresolved, with key disagreements over fiscal policies, environmental targets, and the future of the Development Ministry.
The AfD's candidate for Bundestagsvizepräsident failed to secure a majority in three rounds of voting, reflecting ongoing political divisions and their exclusion from leadership roles.
Julia Klöckner highlighted underrepresentation of women in the Bundestag, noting that women account for less than a third of the 630 members, a decline from the previous term.