Germans are voting in parliamentary elections brought forward by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’ ruling coalition last November. The conservative CDU/CSU is in the lead in opinion polls. DW has the latest.
Voting underway
Germans are voting today in an early election after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition collapsed in November last year.
The campaign focused on the economy and migration, but polls have remained steady, with opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s centre-right Union bloc leading.
Merz promises to revive Germany’s struggling economy and strengthen its role in Europe.
At a rally in Munich, he vowed to take a tougher stance on migration and defend Europe’s interests, even against the US. He rejected any cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is set for a record result but remains isolated.
On the other hand, Scholz, whose Social Democrats lag far behind, hopes for a last-minute comeback. Scholz said that his party is the best defense against AfD gaining influence.
Germany’s most pressing problems
| Problem | Percent | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration | 373737 | +14 |
| State of the economy | 343434 | -11 |
| Armed conflict/foreign policy | 141414 | -4 |
| Climate change/environmental protection | 131313 | +1 |
| Inequality/poverty | 111111 | ±0 |
| Education | 888 | ±0 |
| Homeland security/crime | 888 | +4 |
| Pension system | 777 | +1 |
| Inflation | 777 | +2 |
| Health care | 666 | +1 |
Values in percent / changes compared to December 2024
Source: ARD-Deutschlandtrend / infratest dimap (January 9, 2025)