After the choice: This is how the coalition formation continues!

After the choice: This is how the coalition formation continues!

Hamburg, Deutschland - The Bundestag election in Germany was completed on February 23, 2025. On the morning of February 24, 2025, the preliminary result will be published by the federal election manager Ruth Brand. From the morning, numerous parties will hold press conferences and take the first steps to form a new government. Friedrich Merz, the chairman of the CDU, has already announced that the exploratory talks should begin after the citizens' election in Hamburg on March 2.

Numerous Bundestag factions will meet in the coming days. On February 25, the parliamentary group leader will be confirmed or re -elected in most factions. The new SPD faction will be constituted on February 26. The coalition negotiations, which can potentially take up to half a year, are of crucial importance, since no party usually achieves an absolute majority.

government formation in detail

Responsibility for government formation in Germany lies with the parties, not with the head of state. The explorations often begin directly on the election night, with the Union emerged in this election as a clear winner. Historically, it took 47 days after the election in 2021 to achieve a coalition agreement, and Friedrich Merz is optimistic that government formation can be concluded by Easter. He plans to find the conversation with parties to the democratic center.

The coalition negotiations only begin after successful explorations, in which informally the basics for further discussions are created. All parties have to vote internally on the admission of the negotiations. A coalition agreement must then be legitimized at party conferences, even if this is not legally binding.

The timetable up to the constitution

On March 14th, the Federal Election Committee will determine the final official result of the Bundestag election. The constituent meeting of the new Bundestag is planned for March 25 and must take place at the latest 30 days after the election. In this meeting, the President of the Bundestag as well as his deputy and secretary are elected and the rules of procedure decided. The incumbent government remains in office until this meeting and is capable of acting.

If there are no agreements in the coalition talks, there is the possibility that the Federal President will dissolve the Bundestag, which could lead to the tender for new elections. Alternatively, a minority government could also be formed if there is no coalition.