Election to the 21st German Bundestag
The German Bundestag is the representation of the people of the Federal Republic of Germany and, being vested with decisive legislative authority, its most important body. It is composed of representatives of the German people who are elected for four years in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections.
Election date
The Basic Law specifies the period in which a Bundestag election has to take place (Article 39 para. 1 of the Basic Law).
In accordance with that provision, new elections are held between 46 months (at the earliest) and 48 months (at the latest) after the current electoral term has begun. If the electoral term of the Bundestag is terminated early, there have to be new elections within 60 days after the decision has been taken to dissolve the Bundestag.
The electoral term of the 20th German Bundestag started on 26 October 2021 with its constituent sitting. Consequently, the date of the election will have to be within the period from Wednesday, 27 August 2025 to Sunday, 26 October 2025.
Election day has to be on a Sunday or a public holiday (Section 16 of the Federal Elections Act). As a rule, Bundestag elections should not be conducted during main holiday seasons.
Irrespective of the election date, elections to the assemblies of party delegates may, at the earliest, be held 29 months after the electoral term of the Bundestag has begun, this would be from 27 March 2024 for this Bundestag election. Candidates may be elected 32 months after the electoral term has started, this means from 27 June 2024 (Section 21 (3), fourth sentence, of the Federal Elections Act).