Comprehensive A to Z Guide to the 2025 Federal Election

Comprehensive A to Z Guide to the 2025 Federal Election

This guide explores the Bundestag’s structure, detailing the election of its 299 representatives from districts and an equal number from party lists. It covers key electoral concepts such as absolute majority, active voting rights for citizens aged 18 and older, postal voting procedures, and the role of the Federal Election Authority. Additionally, it addresses the principle of equal opportunities for political parties and the implications of direct mandates within electoral districts.

Understanding the Bundestag: Key Structures and Elections

Curious about the structure of the Bundestag? Let’s dive into how many representatives are part of this essential legislative body, how seats are allocated, and the process of electing the Chancellor. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the Bundestag election—from representatives to the complexities of voting.

Key Terms in Bundestag Elections

A – Representatives
Representatives serve as the voice of the people in parliament, gaining their mandate through elections. The Bundestag typically comprises 299 representatives elected from electoral districts, alongside another 299 who are allocated seats through party state lists.

To ensure the Bundestag doesn’t grow excessively, recent amendments to electoral law introduced a limit on representation. The total number of representatives is capped at 630, and the previous mechanisms for overhang and compensatory mandates have been removed. Every representative, as mandated by Article 38 of the Basic Law, represents the entire populace and operates under a free mandate, meaning they are not obligated to follow direct instructions from their constituents or parties.

Absolute Majority
An absolute majority is crucial for passing proposals, requiring support from more than half of the total Bundestag representatives, plus one. This calculation is based on the established number of representatives, regardless of attendance. To secure a stable governing majority, parties often unite to form coalitions, and this majority is particularly significant during the Chancellor’s election.

Active Voting Rights
Active voting rights allow German citizens aged 18 and older to participate in elections, provided they have resided in Germany for at least three months. In rare circumstances, these rights may be temporarily revoked due to serious criminal convictions.

Germans Living Abroad
Germans residing abroad can also vote under specific conditions, provided they have lived in Germany for a significant period prior to their departure. Those without a current residence in Germany must apply to be added to the voter list through their last municipality of residence.

B – Postal Voting
While voters typically cast their ballots in person, postal voting is available. Interested voters must apply through their municipality by 3 PM the Friday before the election. In cases of sudden illness, applications can be submitted by 3 PM on election day. Voters will receive their ballots, which must be returned to the local authority by 6 PM on election Sunday.

Federal Election Law
The Federal Election Law governs the details of the Bundestag elections, defining how representatives are elected, the electoral districts involved, and the voting process.

Federal Election Authority
The Federal Returning Officer oversees the election process, ensuring compliance with the law and fairness in execution. Appointed for an indefinite term, the current officer is responsible for the election preparations and results.

C – Equal Opportunities
The Federal Constitutional Court upholds the principle of equal opportunities for all political parties, ensuring that those not banned can participate fairly in the electoral process. This principle extends to media coverage, where reporting may vary based on party significance and past performances.

D – Direct Mandate
The Bundestag election divides the country into 299 electoral districts. Typically, the candidate with the most first votes in a district secures a direct mandate to parliament. However, the new electoral law’s second vote coverage means that district winners may not always gain a seat if their party doesn’t meet specific thresholds.

E – Abstention
Voters can choose to abstain from voting by simply not attending the polls, as there is no option to indicate abstention on the ballot.