Center for German and European Studies

Reflecting on the Results of the German Election

 

About the Event

Germany's "traffic light" coalition government collapsed in November 2024, triggering early federal elections that were originally planned for September 2025. Join a panel of Brandeis faculty who will discuss the results of the election, held on Sunday, February 23rd. Polls show that the right-wing extremist party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is likely to reach 20% of the vote. It recently got outsized support from none other than Elon Musk. All other parties have vowed not to form a governing coalition with the AfD in support of a "Brandmauer"(firewall) against fascism. Yet, on January 29th, the CDU voted with the AfD to restrict asylum, breaking that vow, which was met with outrage and protests - even from former CDU-Chancellor Angela Merkel.  What does Germany look like after the election? Who will be able to form a governing coalition? Will there be another "grand coalition" of CDU and SPD? What challenges does the new German government face?

Meet our Panelists

Headshot of Jytte KlausenJytte Klausen
Laurence A. Wien Professor of International Cooperation

 Chandler Rosenberger HeadshotChandler Rosenberger
Associate Professor of Sociology and Global Studies

 Steven Wilson HeadshotSteven Wilson
Assistant Professor of Politics