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German election 2021

Some 60.4 million people are eligible to vote in Germany's general election for the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, on September 26, 2021.

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All Content on this topic

German gun ownership card, a handgun and ammunition

German gun ownership card, a handgun and ammunition

Where does Germany stand on gun control?

Who can buy and carry guns in Germany? The laws for gun ownership are strictly regulated. DW looks at the details.

A glass of sparkling wine on a table with a young person blurred in the background

A glass of sparkling wine on a table with a young person blurred in the background

Will Germany end 'supervised drinking' for under-16s?

Germany's health minister is considering an end to "supervised drinking" in bars for minors between 14 and 16.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

German top diplomat Baerbock to forgo second chancellor run

Annalena Baerbock said she would not represent her Green Party as its top candidate in federal elections next year.

Biden or Trump? Many Germans don't like either

Is democracy in danger in the US and Germany? Yes, the majority of German voters say.

Sahra Wagenknecht stands and smiles among a few other people

Sahra Wagenknecht stands and smiles among a few other people

How German politics could be reshaped by the BSW party

Germany's populist BSW presented a challenge to the far-right AfD in the recent European Parliament elections.

To The Point | TOPOe, Totale, 13.06.24

To The Point | TOPOe, Totale, 13.06.24

Between fear and deterrence: Can Europe defend itself?

Germany and Europe are under pressure. How strong are their armies without US support?

Klaus Töpfer, seen in 2023, in a black and white photo

Klaus Töpfer, seen in 2023, in a black and white photo

Germany: Top environmentalist Klaus Töpfer dies

He was one of West Germany's most popular politicians and spearheaded environment policy in reunified Germany.

A hand holding a phone with an AfD social media account displayed on the screen

A hand holding a phone with an AfD social media account displayed on the screen

Far-right AfD appears as strongest German party on TikTok

Figures linked to the far-right party use TikTok as a "parallel universe" to spread extremism, a study shows.

Björn Höcke points upwards whilst on stage

Björn Höcke points upwards whilst on stage

Germany: Court fines AfD politician Höcke over Nazi slogan

Far-right politician Björn Höcke, a former history teacher, denied during the trial knowing the origin of the slogan.

A symbol photo of an AfD flag being waved in Munich in September, 2018

A symbol photo of an AfD flag being waved in Munich in September, 2018

German court upholds AfD 'suspected' extremist status

The designation could allow Germany's intelligence agency to surveil and investigate members of the far-right party.

Germany: 2 far-right AfD politicians attacked in Stuttgart

Police said two state lawmakers were slightly injured at an event marking the the 75th anniversary of the constitution.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz

CDU leader Friedrich Merz

Merz won't 'accept' violence on German streets

After two years of discussion, Germany's CDU has agreed on a new party platform, party leader Friedrich Merz told DW.

Green Party politician Yvonne Mosler (l) is confronted by a man and a woman in Dresden

Green Party politician Yvonne Mosler (l) is confronted by a man and a woman in Dresden

DW captures attack on Green Party politician in Dresden

A DW film crew was accompanying a team hanging campaign posters in Dresden when the local politicians were assaulted.

Refugees and migrants gathered from all over Greece at Diavata to begin their journey to northern Europe

Refugees and migrants gathered from all over Greece at Diavata to begin their journey to northern Europe

Study says Europeans fear migration more than climate change

Europeans — especially Germans — are increasingly keen on curbing immigration, according to Danish-based think tank.

Friedrich Merz holding up his voting card, looking grim

Friedrich Merz holding up his voting card, looking grim

Friedrich Merz, the CDU and its bid for power

At its political convention, the CDU adopted a new conservative platform. The issues: "Leitkultur," asylum and Islam.

A German Green Party campaigner at his stall talks to locals

A German Green Party campaigner at his stall talks to locals

Fears in Germany over rise in political violence

In the eastern city of Dresden an attack on a Green Party candidate was caught on camera by a DW team.

Berlin's state minister for economics, energy and public enterprises gives a press statement on an attack on her after a presentation of a solar energy campaign

Berlin's state minister for economics, energy and public enterprises gives a press statement on an attack on her after a presentation of a solar energy campaign

Franziska Giffey attack: Police detain 74-year-old man

The left-leaning politician was briefly hospitalized after she was hit "on the head and neck" in a Berlin library.

An election placard showing Matthias Ecke on the side of a street

An election placard showing Matthias Ecke on the side of a street

German politician attack: 4 teens identified as suspects

After the attack on an EU lawmaker in the city of Dresden, police say they have identified three more teenage supects.

Anna Leisten, deputy chairwoman of Junge Alternative Brandenburg, speaks at a demonstration by the AfD Brandenburg

Anna Leisten, deputy chairwoman of Junge Alternative Brandenburg, speaks at a demonstration by the AfD Brandenburg

Pessimistic young Germans turning to far right, says study

Teens and young adults are increasingly unsatisfied and likely to vote for the far right, according to a survey.

A view from the glass dome of the Reichstag building into the blue sky, a tower of the building with waving flag of Germany in the background

A view from the glass dome of the Reichstag building into the blue sky, a tower of the building with waving flag of Germany in the background

German political parties see surge in new members

Rarely has there been a time when so many people have joined political parties. What's the reason for this interest?

Olaf Scholz at NATO press conference

Olaf Scholz at NATO press conference

EU, NATO growing in popularity in Germany

Germans are feeling the threat of geopolitical instability and are rallying around political and military institutions.

Donald Tusk, left, shaking hands with Olaf Scholz at a press conference. They are smiling and facing the cameras, in front of Polish, German and EU flags.

Donald Tusk, left, shaking hands with Olaf Scholz at a press conference. They are smiling and facing the cameras, in front of Polish, German and EU flags.

Poland demands compensation from Germany

The new government in Warsaw will not pursue war reparations from Germany, but it wants some form of compensation.

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The 20th century's first genocide in Namibia

German troops went from fighting OvaHerero and Nama to causing the 20th century's first genocide.

DW Sendung The 77 Percent

DW Sendung The 77 Percent

Street Debate: Does German colonialism affect the present?

What did Germany’s brutal colonial rule in leave behind. We ask Tanzanian youths and direct descendants of those harmed.

DW The 77 Percent (Sendungslogo englisch)

DW The 77 Percent (Sendungslogo englisch)

The 77 Percent - The Magazine for Africa's Youth

The 77 Percent takes a closer look at Germany's brutal colonial rule in Africa and asks how it affects young people.

Bettina Stark-Watzinger (r) looks at Franziska Brantner during a parliamentary session

Bettina Stark-Watzinger (r) looks at Franziska Brantner during a parliamentary session

Germany falls short on women in parliament, Rwanda on top

Over one-third of German lawmakers are women, but the country only ranks 47th on female representation in parliament.

DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Genderfluid model Felix Nieder, reasons to study in Spain and the world’s deepest hotel.

Liquid iron in a furnace

Liquid iron in a furnace

What's wrong with Germany's economy?

Germany has been regarded as a model country in Europe. But the economy has taken a downturn.

Man welding iron

Man welding iron

Bleak economy, but innovation

German companies are suffering from high energy costs. But also successfully innovating.

DW Sendung Made in Germany

DW Sendung Made in Germany

German solar on the brink

German solar panel manufacturers fear for their economic survival due to flood of Chinese goods.

A man prepares to vote in the Berlin state election rerun on December 19, 2023

A man prepares to vote in the Berlin state election rerun on December 19, 2023

Berlin stages partial rerun of 2021 German federal election

Right-of-center opposition parties made slight gains, and the trio involved the national coaliton slight losses.

Author Heribert Schwan attends a presentation of his book entitled "Vermächtnis - Die Kohl Protokolle"

Author Heribert Schwan attends a presentation of his book entitled "Vermächtnis - Die Kohl Protokolle"

German court bans more passages in Helmut Kohl biography

The legal dispute between Kohl's second wife and his former memoir ghostwriter goes back years.

People attend a demonstration against the Alternative for Germany party (AfD), right-wing extremism and for the protection of democracy in Duesseldorf, Germany, January 27, 2024.

People attend a demonstration against the Alternative for Germany party (AfD), right-wing extremism and for the protection of democracy in Duesseldorf, Germany, January 27, 2024.

Germans hold anti-right rallies on Holocaust Remembrance day

Several states saw hundreds of thousands of protesters return to the streets against far-right extremism.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Germany: Would-be migrant workers worried by growing racism

Germany needs skilled workers from abroad. But potential immigrants fear that racism in Germany is on the rise.

Polen | Schüler aus Kerpen in der Gedenkstätte Auschwitz-Birkenau (hell)

Polen | Schüler aus Kerpen in der Gedenkstätte Auschwitz-Birkenau (hell)

Auschwitz visit expands students' Holocaust understanding

Almost 80 years have passed since the end of the Holocaust. How can the memories of survivors and witnesses live on?

A sign saying "Protect Trans Kids" held up by a demonstrator a CSD parade in Erfurt in September 2023.

A sign saying "Protect Trans Kids" held up by a demonstrator a CSD parade in Erfurt in September 2023.

Germany's trans community battles right-wing falsehoods

Far-right actors are using disinformation against transgender people as a way to push their own political agendas.

A massive crowd of people stand in front of the Reichstag in Germany's capital Berlin holding placards.

A massive crowd of people stand in front of the Reichstag in Germany's capital Berlin holding placards.

Fact check: How were German protester numbers estimated?

After large anti far-right demonstrations in Germany, a debate has ensued about the accuracy of protester estimates.

Euro notes

Euro notes

Shortfalls could challenge Germany's generosity

Germany prides itself on spending big on everything from social welfare to foreign aid. That could change.

Farmers protests in Berlin, with many people and tractors in the street. Berlin's Brandenburg Gate is visible in the Background

Farmers protests in Berlin, with many people and tractors in the street. Berlin's Brandenburg Gate is visible in the Background

Germany in protest mode: From farmers to train drivers

The country's been rocked by street demonstrations and strikes as frustration mounts. What is happening in Germany?

A view of crowds of protesters near the Brandenburg Gate

A view of crowds of protesters near the Brandenburg Gate

Farmers block roads across Germany

The protesters oppose plans by the German government to reduce subsidies on fuel used in agriculture.

Farmer truck with an AfD banner calling for fresh elections

Farmer truck with an AfD banner calling for fresh elections

Germany's far right exploits farmers' protests

Farmers' protests have a long tradition in Germany, And on Monday, right-wing extremists attempted to stoke anger.

Left to right: Fabio de Masi, Amira Mohamed Ali, Sahra Wagenknecht, Shervin Haghsheno and Thomas Geisel at the presentation of the new party

Left to right: Fabio de Masi, Amira Mohamed Ali, Sahra Wagenknecht, Shervin Haghsheno and Thomas Geisel at the presentation of the new party

New populist party shakes up German political establishment

Sahra Wagenknecht's new party is restrictive on immigration, pro-Russia and champions left-wing social policies.

Wolfgang Schäuble, an older man wearing rimless glasses, looking thoughtful (black and white image)

Wolfgang Schäuble, an older man wearing rimless glasses, looking thoughtful (black and white image)

Wolfgang Schäuble: A veteran heavyweight of German politics

Wolfgang Schäuble, a politician with passion and a Protestant sense of duty, shaped German politics for half a century.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Economy Minister Robert Habeck (l) und Finance Minister Christian Lindner (r)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Economy Minister Robert Habeck (l) und Finance Minister Christian Lindner (r)

Germany's coalition government agrees on 2024 budget

It comes after a court ruling threw government finances into disarray and exposed deep rifts between the ruling parties.

A raised view of German Parliament in session

A raised view of German Parliament in session

Germany faces budget crisis after court ruling

A German court has ruled that reallocating €60 billion in leftover emergency COVID funds is illegal.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the lower house of parliament Bundestag

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the lower house of parliament Bundestag

Scholz says top court's budget ruling means 'new reality'

Ministers must fill a hole in state finances after a bombshell Constitutional Court ruling on borrowing.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock gestures during a DW interview in Berlin with Jaafar Abdul-Karim

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock gestures during a DW interview in Berlin with Jaafar Abdul-Karim

Germany urges 'international responsibility' in Gaza

In a DW interview, Germany's top diplomat urged for de-escalation in the Middle East and defended Germany's stance.

People walking down the 'Reeperbahn' in Hamburg

People walking down the 'Reeperbahn' in Hamburg

German chancellor says sex work is unacceptable

German chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for a clampdown on sex work.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right), Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (center) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (left) attending a parliament session in Berlin in September, 2023.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right), Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (center) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (left) attending a parliament session in Berlin in September, 2023.

Germany's top court annuls move to repurpose COVID funding

Germany's highest court ruled that the government's 2021 reallocation of unused pandemic funding is unconstitutional.

Suspected illegal migrants sit on the ground after they were detained by German police during their patrol along the German-Polish border to prevent illegal migration, in Forst, Germany, September 20, 2023

Suspected illegal migrants sit on the ground after they were detained by German police during their patrol along the German-Polish border to prevent illegal migration, in Forst, Germany, September 20, 2023

Germany: Scholz meets state leaders amid migration pressure

The government is under pressure to increase financial support for Germany's 16 states to deal with asylum seekers.