A sample ballot paper for the election to the Bundestag in the slit of a ballot box in the form of the German map with the German flag (Andreas Prott- Adobe Stock )
As an American living in Germany, I have sought to better understand the country’s political system. Germany’s 2025 federal election offers valuable insights into its governmental structure and electoral processes, which differ significantly from those in the United States. Notably, the election highlighted a rise in nationalist sentiments, mirroring political shifts observed in the U.S. (Reuters, 2025).
Germany is a federal republic comprising 16 states (Bundesländer), each possessing its own constitution and significant autonomy, particularly in areas like education, law enforcement and cultural affairs. These states are:
Baden-Württemberg
Bavaria (Bayern)
Berlin
Brandenburg
Bremen
Hamburg
Hesse (Hessen)
Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen)
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen)
Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz)
Saarland
Saxony (Sachsen)
Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt)
Schleswig-Holstein
Thuringia (Thüringen)
Each state is led by a Minister-President and has its own parliament responsible for regional legislation. While states manage many internal matters, the federal government, headed by the Chancellor, oversees national policies. The President serves as the head of state with primarily ceremonial duties (Britannica, 2024).
Germany operates under a multi-party system, often resulting in coalition governments. Prominent political parties include:
Christian Democratic Union (CDU): Center-right, conservative, pro-business
Christian Social Union (CSU): Bavarian sister party to the CDU, socially conservative
Social Democratic Party (SPD): Center-left, advocates for social welfare and workers’ rights
Alternative for Germany (AfD): Far-right, nationalist, anti-immigration
Alliance 90/The Greens: Environmentalist, progressive, pro-European
Free Democratic Party (FDP): Center-right, supports free markets and individual freedoms
The Left (Die Linke): Democratic socialist, focuses on wealth redistribution
Unlike the U.S. two-party system, Germany’s electoral framework encourages multiple parties, necessitating coalition-building to achieve governing majorities (Britannica, 2024).
Ballot paper for the federal election and hand holding a red pen (Thorston Malinowaski-Adobe Stock )
Germany’s federal elections determine the composition of the Bundestag, the national parliament. The electoral system combines direct and proportional representation to balance constituency interests with overall party proportionality (Euronews, 2025).
Two Votes Per Voter: Each voter has: a. First Vote (Erststimme): Selects a direct candidate for the voter’s constituency. b. Second Vote (Zweitstimme): Votes for a party list, determining the proportional representation of parties in the Bundestag.
Threshold for Representation: A party must secure at least 5% of the second votes or win at least three direct mandates to gain representation in the Bundestag (Euronews, 2025).
Coalition Building: Given the multi-party landscape, it’s uncommon for a single party to achieve an absolute majority, leading to coalition negotiations to form a government.
German Federal Chancellery in the government district of Berlin, Germany, May 04, 2018 (Hans Wolfgang Jargstorff-Adobe Stock )
The Chancellor serves as Germany’s head of government, wielding executive authority. Post-election, the Chancellor is elected by Bundestag members, typically the leader of the majority party or coalition. This process underscores the importance of coalition agreements, as parties must collaborate to establish a functional government (Britannica, 2024).
Coalition discussions involve negotiating policy priorities and cabinet positions, often requiring significant compromise among parties. This collaborative approach aims to ensure stable governance reflecting a broader spectrum of the electorate.
Multi-Party System: Germany’s political landscape features several influential parties, contrasting with the U.S. two-party system.
Dual Voting Mechanism: Voters cast separate ballots for individual candidates and party lists, blending direct and proportional representation.
Chancellor Selection: The head of government is chosen by parliamentary members, not through a direct public vote.
Federal Structure: 16 states possess considerable autonomy, particularly in regional matters.
Coalition Governance: Forming governments often requires alliances between parties, leading to negotiated policy platforms.
Nationalist Trends: The rise of parties like the AfD indicates growing nationalist sentiments, paralleling movements in the United States (Reuters, 2025).
Understanding Germany’s political and electoral systems offers valuable perspectives on its governance and current political dynamics. As both Germany and the U.S. experience shifts influenced by nationalist movements, examining these structures provides insight into the challenges and adaptations within democratic societies
Britannica. (2024). Germany: Government and society. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Government-and-society
Euronews. (2025). Explained: How does Germany’s electoral system work and what changes this year? Retrieved from https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/02/23/explained-how-does-germanys-electoral-system-work-and-what-changes-this-year
Reuters. (2025). Resurgence of Germany’s left exposes a fragmented and polarized electorate. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/resurgence-germanys-left-exposes-fragmented-polarised-electorate-2025-02-25
The Guardian. (2025). German election live updates: Olaf Scholz, Alice Weidel, AfD, and Friedrich Merz. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/23/german-election-live-olaf-scholz-alice-weidel-afd-friedrich-merz-germany-latest-news
Editor’s Note: This article was written by a member of a local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being presented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of Defense.
