Search on Ifri.org

About Ifri

Frequent searches

Suggestions

Germany in the Electoral Campaign to the Early Elections on February 23 - The Challenges of a high-risk Voting

Editorials
|
Date de publication
|
Références
Ifri Editorial, January 23, 2025
Accroche

One month before the early Federal Elections in Germany, which will take place on February 23, 2025, after the "Traffic light coalition" imploded on November 6, 2024, the political landscape in Germany appears to be relatively stable despite the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Image principale
Berlin, Germany - January 8, 2025 - Banner at CDU headquarters on early Bundestag 2025 elections showing party leader and front-runner Friedrich Merz
Berlin, Germany - January 8, 2025 - Banner at CDU Headquarters on early Bundestag 2025 Elections Showing party leader and Front-Runner Friedrich Merz - © Achim Wagner
Shutterstock.com
Table of contents
Table of contents
body

The new government that emerges from the elections will have to deal with rethinking the crisis-ridden German economic model, against a backdrop that is being disrupted by the election of Donald Trump in the US. What are the prospects for Europe and Franco-German relations?

Paul Maurice is Secretary General of The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) at Ifri, where he focuses on German domestic policy, Franco-German relations within the European Union, and German foreign and security policy.


This publication is available in French (pdf): "L’Allemagne en campagne pour les élections anticipées du 23 février - Enjeux d’un scrutin à risque " 

Decoration

Available in:

Share

Decoration
Author(s)
Photo
paul_couleur_1.jpg

Paul MAURICE

Intitulé du poste
Image principale
The Pariser Platz (Paris Square) on the east side of the Brandenburg Gate at Berlin, Germany
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
Accroche centre

The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.

Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.

Image principale

A Partnership Built on Security: Post-Brexit Rapprochement between Germany and the United Kingdom

Date de publication
12 October 2026
Accroche

Since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK-German relations have undergone a remarkable transformation: from Berlin’s deliberate distancing from London during the Brexit negotiations, when Germany consistently prioritised EU-27 unity over bilateral arrangements, to a gradual rapprochement, culminating, for the time being, in the 2025 Kensington Treaty of Friendship.

Nicolai von ONDARZA
Image principale

Recalibrating Europe’s Security: Building Partnerships in an Era of ‘Wrecking-Ball Politics

Date de publication
22 September 2026
Accroche

The 2026 Munich Security Conference report observes that “the world has entered a period of wrecking-ball politics.” Indeed, the era of Western predominance, dependable alliances and capable multilateral institutions has given way to shifting balances of power and deepening uncertainty.

Marie KRPATA Sarah BRESSAN
Image principale

Taking the Pulse: Does the EU Have a Germany Problem?

Date de publication
17 September 2026
Accroche

Are Germany’s economic, industrial, and political struggles becoming a liability for the EU’s ability to rise to the geopolitical moment?

Image principale

From Protest to Power? The AfD Ahead of the Eastern State Elections

Date de publication
03 September 2026
Accroche

The September state elections will test the AfD’s transition from protest force to potential governing power amid growing political fragmentation and dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his coalition. While firmly established in eastern Germany, the AfD is also gaining ground in the west, raising questions about coalition-building and the future direction of German politics.

Page image credits
Berlin, Germany - January 8, 2025 - Banner at CDU Headquarters on early Bundestag 2025 Elections Showing party leader and Front-Runner Friedrich Merz - © Achim Wagner
Shutterstock.com

How can this study be cited?

Paul MAURICE, « Germany in the Electoral Campaign to the Early Elections on February 23 - The Challenges of a high-risk Voting », Editorials, Ifri, 23 January 2025.
Copy