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1 1 (March 19, 2025)

handle is hein.crs/gmysfeb0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional aResearch Service Informing the legislative debate since 1914_ Germany's February 2025 Election Updated March 19, 2025 Political leaders in Germany-Europe's most populous country and largest economy-are engaged in negotiations to form a new government following a February 23, 2025, snap parliamentary election. Election results suggest Friedrich Merz, leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), likely will become Germany's next chancellor, replacing incumbent Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). The next German government's priorities could be of interest to Congress given the possible implications for U.S.-German and U.S.-European relations. Election Results and Prospective Governing Coalition The CDU/CSU came in first place in the February election to the German parliament's lower house, the Bundestag, with 28.6% of the vote (see Figure 1). The early election was precipitated by the Scholz government's collapse in November 2024. Under Germany's parliamentary system of government, the Bundestag elects the head of government, or chancellor; the multiparty system generally leads to governing coalitions. CDU/CSU leader Merz has entered negotiations with the SPD to form a grand coalition government. Together, the parties would control 328 out of 630 Bundestag seats. The new parliament is to be seated by March 25, 2025. Merz has said he hopes to form a government by April 20. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN12526 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress - Iw F ' 6C1®

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