Germany's Bundestag election: Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU comes first, AfD second with 20.8%, turnout 82.5%
In Germany's early federal election on 23 February 2025, Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU won the most votes, the AfD came second with 20.8% and turnout was 82.5%, up from 76.4% in 2021.
Summary
Germany held an early election to the 21st Bundestag on 23 February 2025. According to the Federal Returning Officer, the CDU (22.6%) and its Bavarian sister party CSU (6.0%) together took 28.5% of second votes, making the bloc led by Friedrich Merz the largest. The Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) doubled its share to 20.8% to finish second, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD fell to 16.4%, the Greens got 11.6% and Die Linke 8.8%, while the FDP (4.3%) and BSW (just under 5%) missed the 5% threshold. Turnout was 82.5%, against 76.4% in 2021. The CDU/CSU won 208 seats, the AfD 152 and the SPD 120.
Key facts
- Date
- 23 February 2025 (early election, 21st Bundestag)
- Largest bloc
- CDU/CSU, 28.5% (Friedrich Merz)
- Second
- AfD, 20.8%
- SPD
- 16.4%
- Turnout
- 82.5% (2021: 76.4%)
- Missed 5% threshold
- FDP 4.3%, BSW just under 5%
- Seats
- CDU/CSU 208, AfD 152, SPD 120
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which party finished second in Germany's Bundestag election of 23 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD)
The AfD took 20.8% of second votes to finish second behind the CDU/CSU.
What was the voter turnout in Germany's federal election of 23 February 2025, according to the Federal Returning Officer?
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Correct answer: D — 82.5%
Turnout was 82.5%, up from 76.4% in the 2021 Bundestag election.
Which two parties missed the 5% threshold in the 2025 Bundestag election?
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Correct answer: D — FDP and BSW
The FDP got 4.3% and the BSW just under 5%, both below the 5% threshold, so neither won seats.