Early elections in 2025: Steinmeier dissolves Bundestag
Following the collapse of the “traffic light” coalition and the Federal Chancellor losing the vote of confidence, Federal President Steinmeier announces early elections.
Berlin (dpa) – Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved the Bundestag. This clears the way for early elections, which are to take place on 23 February next year, as Steinmeier announced in Berlin. The announcement comes in response to the collapse of the “traffic light” coalition in November, followed by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz losing the vote of confidence in the Bundestag shortly before Christmas.
Political stability was a valuable asset in Germany, said Steinmeier in Bellevue Palace, noting that it was a rare exception to dissolve the Bundestag before the end of the legislative period and hold early elections. “But in challenging times such as these in particular, stability requires a capable government and reliable majorities in parliament.
Based on the vote of confidence, the current government no longer has a majority, nor have talks revealed any majorities for an alternative government. As such, I firmly believe that early elections are now the right way forward for the good of our country,” said Steinmeier, adding that the Basic Law made provisions for situations such as this. The Federal President said that the Bundestag would remain in session until a new parliament had been constituted. “Our democracy functions effectively in times of transition, too.”