German President Sets Election Date
Berlin, February 12, 2025 – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has set the date for the next presidential election: May 23, 2025. The election will be held by the Federal Convention, composed of members of the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) and an equal number of delegates from the 16 federal states.
The incumbent president, Steinmeier, is eligible to run for a second term but has not yet announced his decision. Several potential candidates have emerged, including:
- SPD candidate Carsten Schneider: The current vice president of the Bundestag, Schneider is seen as a strong contender due to his experience and connections within the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD).
- CDU candidate Friedrich Merz: The former leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Merz is a conservative politician who is likely to appeal to voters on the right.
- Greens candidate Cem Özdemir: The co-leader of the Greens党, Özdemir is a Turkish-German politician who would become the first person of Turkish descent to hold the office of president.
- AfD candidate Alice Weidel: The co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Weidel is a controversial figure whose candidacy is likely to polarize voters.
The election is expected to be closely contested, with no clear frontrunner at this stage. The outcome will depend on the ability of the candidates to secure support from across the political spectrum.
The new president will be sworn in on October 1, 2025. The office of the president is largely ceremonial, but it carries significant symbolic and moral authority. The president is responsible for representing Germany at home and abroad, signing into law bills passed by parliament, and appointing the chancellor (prime minister).
Bundespräsident legt Termin fest
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