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German election 2021

Some 60.4 million people are eligible to vote in Germany's general election for the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, on September 26, 2021.

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All Content on this topic

Robert Habeck giving a statement on November 7, 2024 at his ministry

Robert Habeck giving a statement on November 7, 2024 at his ministry

Habeck wants to be Germany's next chancellor

After the coalition's fall, the economy minister has announced his intent to run as the Greens' chancellor candidate.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, gives a statement before a session of the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, in Berlin, Germany, November 8, 2024.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, gives a statement before a session of the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, in Berlin, Germany, November 8, 2024.

Germany's coalition collapse: Merz's CDU ready to take power

Riding high in the polls, the center-right Christian Democrats are eager to fight a federal election campaign.

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Trump victory, German coalition collapse

What does Trump mean for European security and Ukraine? What does Berlin's government coalition collapse mean for it?

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to clear the way for an election fast.

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to clear the way for an election fast.

Scholz pressured to call no-confidence vote

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to clear the way for an election fast.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy shaking hands with Annalena Baerbock

Volodymyr Zelenskyy shaking hands with Annalena Baerbock

Is Germany still able to act on foreign policy?

Germany's government collapsed over budget issues such as increasing aid to Ukraine, but the opposition vows continuity.

This is "Berlin Briefing"

This is "Berlin Briefing"

Trump victory, German coalition collapse

What does Trump mean for European security and Ukraine? What does Berlin's government coalition collapse mean for it?

Nach Ampel-Aus | Bundespräsident Steinmeier übergibt Entlassungsurkunde an Lindner

Nach Ampel-Aus | Bundespräsident Steinmeier übergibt Entlassungsurkunde an Lindner

German political crisis

The governing coalition collapsed after Chancellor Scholz fired his finance minister, paving the way for an early vote.

German lawmaker and transgender woman Nyke Slawik speaking in parliament

German lawmaker and transgender woman Nyke Slawik speaking in parliament

Germany's transgender rights law takes effect

A new law makes it easier to alter gender markers and names on official documents, a welcome recognition for some.

DW Sendung "To the point" | Totale

DW Sendung "To the point" | Totale

Is the German economy going down the drain?

Germany’s ecomomy keeps shrinking – is the Scholz government part of the problem?

Russia's President Vladimir Putin is seen on the screen of a smartphone as he delivers a video address in 2023.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin is seen on the screen of a smartphone as he delivers a video address in 2023.

Russian disinformation is growing in Germany

Analysts say Russia's disinformation campaign is helping pro-Kremlin narratives seep into the country's politics.

Global Climate Strike In Berlin Protesters march during the global climate strike organized by Fridays for Future in Berlin, Germany, on September 20, 2024 Berlin

Global Climate Strike In Berlin Protesters march during the global climate strike organized by Fridays for Future in Berlin, Germany, on September 20, 2024 Berlin

Young Germans fear war and poverty yet remain optimistic

Young Germans fear war in Europe and rising poverty. And they are taking more of an interest in politics.

Demonstrators against the far-right in Erfurt on August 25. 2024

Demonstrators against the far-right in Erfurt on August 25. 2024

Germans divided over far-right AfD ban

Two-thirds of German voters polled in October see the rise of the AfD as a threat to democracy and the rule of law.

Deutschland Solingen | Mehr Frauen in die Politik | Bürgermeisterin Ioanna Zacharaki

Deutschland Solingen | Mehr Frauen in die Politik | Bürgermeisterin Ioanna Zacharaki

German mayor encouraging women to enter politics

Ioanna Zacharaki is bringing together politically minded women and preparing them for a future in German politics.

Kevin Kühnert autograph cards

Kevin Kühnert autograph cards

Germany: Surprise SPD resignation puts pressure on party

SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert is giving up all political offices. This comes at an inopportune time for the party.

Robert Habeck visiting a solar panel start-up in Magdeburg in July 2024

Robert Habeck visiting a solar panel start-up in Magdeburg in July 2024

Can Robert Habeck save Germany's Green Party?

After a string of resignations, the Green Party is facing its worst crisis since it was founded 44 years ago

Alice Weidel

Alice Weidel

Germany: AfD leaders pick Weidel for chancellor candidate

Alice Weidel was already seen as the likely candidate. But the final decision won't come until the party conference.

The AfD's lead candidate for Brandenburg Hans-Christoph Berndt (center), alongside party leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel

The AfD's lead candidate for Brandenburg Hans-Christoph Berndt (center), alongside party leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel

Germany: AfD adds to string of successes in Brandenburg

In Germany's third state elections in 2024, the anti-immigration AfD party again received close to 30% of the vote.

An AfD election campaign poster

An AfD election campaign poster

How Germany's far-right AfD is reaching young voters

The far-right Alternative for Germany is hoping for another strong showing in Brandenburg's upcoming state election.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands among German citizens in Berlin

Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands among German citizens in Berlin

Disgruntled German voters want change

Support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left government has reached a new low. But who stands to gain?

TTP Sendung | Totale Eng

TTP Sendung | Totale Eng

Rise of the far right: Is Germany at a tipping point?

How will the rise of the far right change Germany and its policies?

Hand holding a mobile phone on whose display a video of AFD politician Alice Weidel can be seen on the TikTok platform

Hand holding a mobile phone on whose display a video of AFD politician Alice Weidel can be seen on the TikTok platform

TikTok likely helped far right in German elections: analysts

The far-right AfD was twice as effective at reaching first-time voters on the app than all other parties combined.

A flower memorial in Solingen

A flower memorial in Solingen

Berlin unveils new security package after Solingen attack

German leaders have agreed on new security measures after a deadly knife attack at a street festival.

Deutschland Lubmin Nord Stream 2 Anlage

Deutschland Lubmin Nord Stream 2 Anlage

Five things you need to know about Nord Stream

An arrest warrant has been issued over the sabotage Nord Stream. Here is what you need to know about the pipelines.

black and white photo of a man casting his ballot in the polling station at Frankfurt train station

black and white photo of a man casting his ballot in the polling station at Frankfurt train station

Germany remembers its first post-WWII national election

In 1949, four years after the end of dictatorship and war, Germans could once again elect a democratic parliament.

German gun ownership card, a handgun and ammunition

German gun ownership card, a handgun and ammunition

Where does Germany stand on gun control?

Who can buy and carry guns in Germany? The laws for gun ownership are strictly regulated. DW looks at the details.

A glass of sparkling wine on a table with a young person blurred in the background

A glass of sparkling wine on a table with a young person blurred in the background

Will Germany end 'supervised drinking' for under-16s?

Germany's health minister is considering an end to "supervised drinking" in bars for minors between 14 and 16.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

German top diplomat Baerbock to forgo second chancellor run

Annalena Baerbock said she would not represent her Green Party as its top candidate in federal elections next year.

Biden or Trump? Many Germans don't like either

Is democracy in danger in the US and Germany? Yes, the majority of German voters say.

Sahra Wagenknecht stands and smiles among a few other people

Sahra Wagenknecht stands and smiles among a few other people

How German politics could be reshaped by the BSW party

Germany's populist BSW presented a challenge to the far-right AfD in the recent European Parliament elections.

To The Point | TOPOe, Totale, 13.06.24

To The Point | TOPOe, Totale, 13.06.24

Between fear and deterrence: Can Europe defend itself?

Germany and Europe are under pressure. How strong are their armies without US support?

Klaus Töpfer, seen in 2023, in a black and white photo

Klaus Töpfer, seen in 2023, in a black and white photo

Germany: Top environmentalist Klaus Töpfer dies

He was one of West Germany's most popular politicians and spearheaded environment policy in reunified Germany.

A hand holding a phone with an AfD social media account displayed on the screen

A hand holding a phone with an AfD social media account displayed on the screen

Far-right AfD appears as strongest German party on TikTok

Figures linked to the far-right party use TikTok as a "parallel universe" to spread extremism, a study shows.

Björn Höcke points upwards whilst on stage

Björn Höcke points upwards whilst on stage

Germany: Court fines AfD politician Höcke over Nazi slogan

Far-right politician Björn Höcke, a former history teacher, denied during the trial knowing the origin of the slogan.

A symbol photo of an AfD flag being waved in Munich in September, 2018

A symbol photo of an AfD flag being waved in Munich in September, 2018

German court upholds AfD 'suspected' extremist status

The designation could allow Germany's intelligence agency to surveil and investigate members of the far-right party.

Germany: 2 far-right AfD politicians attacked in Stuttgart

Police said two state lawmakers were slightly injured at an event marking the the 75th anniversary of the constitution.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz

CDU leader Friedrich Merz

Merz won't 'accept' violence on German streets

After two years of discussion, Germany's CDU has agreed on a new party platform, party leader Friedrich Merz told DW.

Green Party politician Yvonne Mosler (l) is confronted by a man and a woman in Dresden

Green Party politician Yvonne Mosler (l) is confronted by a man and a woman in Dresden

DW captures attack on Green Party politician in Dresden

A DW film crew was accompanying a team hanging campaign posters in Dresden when the local politicians were assaulted.

Refugees and migrants gathered from all over Greece at Diavata to begin their journey to northern Europe

Refugees and migrants gathered from all over Greece at Diavata to begin their journey to northern Europe

Study says Europeans fear migration more than climate change

Europeans — especially Germans — are increasingly keen on curbing immigration, according to Danish-based think tank.

Friedrich Merz holding up his voting card, looking grim

Friedrich Merz holding up his voting card, looking grim

Friedrich Merz, the CDU and its bid for power

At its political convention, the CDU adopted a new conservative platform. The issues: "Leitkultur," asylum and Islam.

A German Green Party campaigner at his stall talks to locals

A German Green Party campaigner at his stall talks to locals

Fears in Germany over rise in political violence

In the eastern city of Dresden an attack on a Green Party candidate was caught on camera by a DW team.

Berlin's state minister for economics, energy and public enterprises gives a press statement on an attack on her after a presentation of a solar energy campaign

Berlin's state minister for economics, energy and public enterprises gives a press statement on an attack on her after a presentation of a solar energy campaign

Franziska Giffey attack: Police detain 74-year-old man

The left-leaning politician was briefly hospitalized after she was hit "on the head and neck" in a Berlin library.

An election placard showing Matthias Ecke on the side of a street

An election placard showing Matthias Ecke on the side of a street

German politician attack: 4 teens identified as suspects

After the attack on an EU lawmaker in the city of Dresden, police say they have identified three more teenage supects.

Anna Leisten, deputy chairwoman of Junge Alternative Brandenburg, speaks at a demonstration by the AfD Brandenburg

Anna Leisten, deputy chairwoman of Junge Alternative Brandenburg, speaks at a demonstration by the AfD Brandenburg

Pessimistic young Germans turning to far right, says study

Teens and young adults are increasingly unsatisfied and likely to vote for the far right, according to a survey.

A view from the glass dome of the Reichstag building into the blue sky, a tower of the building with waving flag of Germany in the background

A view from the glass dome of the Reichstag building into the blue sky, a tower of the building with waving flag of Germany in the background

German political parties see surge in new members

Rarely has there been a time when so many people have joined political parties. What's the reason for this interest?

Olaf Scholz at NATO press conference

Olaf Scholz at NATO press conference

EU, NATO growing in popularity in Germany

Germans are feeling the threat of geopolitical instability and are rallying around political and military institutions.

Donald Tusk, left, shaking hands with Olaf Scholz at a press conference. They are smiling and facing the cameras, in front of Polish, German and EU flags.

Donald Tusk, left, shaking hands with Olaf Scholz at a press conference. They are smiling and facing the cameras, in front of Polish, German and EU flags.

Poland demands compensation from Germany

The new government in Warsaw will not pursue war reparations from Germany, but it wants some form of compensation.

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The 20th century's first genocide in Namibia

German troops went from fighting OvaHerero and Nama to causing the 20th century's first genocide.

DW Sendung The 77 Percent

DW Sendung The 77 Percent

Street Debate: Does German colonialism affect the present?

What did Germany’s brutal colonial rule in leave behind. We ask Tanzanian youths and direct descendants of those harmed.

DW The 77 Percent (Sendungslogo englisch)

DW The 77 Percent (Sendungslogo englisch)

The 77 Percent - The Magazine for Africa's Youth

The 77 Percent takes a closer look at Germany's brutal colonial rule in Africa and asks how it affects young people.

Bettina Stark-Watzinger (r) looks at Franziska Brantner during a parliamentary session

Bettina Stark-Watzinger (r) looks at Franziska Brantner during a parliamentary session

Germany falls short on women in parliament, Rwanda on top

Over one-third of German lawmakers are women, but the country only ranks 47th on female representation in parliament.