How German Elections Work

“How German Elections Work” provides answers to important aspects of German elections, such as why Germans vote on Sundays, why the Bundestag varies in size each election, and key legislative reforms. On February 23, 2025, Germany held parliamentary elections. As the most populous EU member state, third largest economy in the world by GDP, and close U.S. ally, German elections impact the transatlantic relationship and beyond. Therefore, it is important to understand how German elections work, from the initial casting of a ballot to signing the final coalition agreement.