Key Figures for the Upcoming Bundestag Election: 630 Seats and 29 Parties Contend

Fri 14th Feb, 2025
As the Bundestag election approaches on February 23, significant statistics have emerged, highlighting the scale and demographics of the electoral process in Germany. With 630 parliamentary seats available, 29 parties are set to compete, backed by a total of 4,506 candidates, marking a notable decrease in candidates compared to previous elections. According to estimates from the Federal Statistical Office, approximately 59.2 million citizens will be eligible to vote, a decline from the 61.2 million eligible voters recorded in the 2021 election. This reduction is primarily attributed to demographic changes, as indicated by the office. In addition, over three million Germans residing abroad are expected to face challenges in participating due to tight deadlines. Notably, around 2.3 million young Germans have reached voting age since the last election, granting them their first opportunity to influence parliamentary decisions. The age distribution of voters reveals that only 13.3 percent are under 30 years old, while nearly a quarter (23.2 percent) are over the age of 70. Furthermore, more than 40 percent of eligible voters have surpassed the age of 60, illustrating a significant demographic shift. To ensure a smooth electoral process, approximately 650,000 volunteers will be required to assist in various roles, including managing polling stations and counting mail-in votes. These volunteers, primarily drawn from local communities, play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the election. The number of candidates vying for positions in the new Bundestag has decreased considerably, with only about a third of the applicants being women. In contrast to the 6,211 candidacies registered in 2021, the current election sees only 4,506 individuals seeking election. Despite this reduction, around 80 percent of the current 733 members of parliament are expected to run again. The electoral system for this election has been modified, employing a mixed system that combines both majority and proportional representation. This approach allows the distribution of seats to reflect the proportion of second votes each party receives, while first votes still provide voters with significant influence over the candidates elected to parliament. Germany is divided into 299 electoral districts, which are designed to ensure an equal representation of the population. It is permissible for these districts to exhibit deviations of up to 15 percent in terms of population counts. Due to recent demographic shifts, one constituency has been transferred from Saxony-Anhalt to Bavaria, resulting in an additional electoral district for Bavaria. The Federal Electoral Committee has approved 41 parties for the upcoming election, with 29 officially participating, albeit not all on a national level. Parties already represented in the federal or state parliaments with a minimum of five members were exempt from reapplying, although smaller parties had to meet specific requirements regarding supporter signatures. A unique aspect of this election is the emergence of 28 students who are contesting for parliamentary seats, alongside 315 candidates holding doctoral degrees. Analysis of the candidates' names indicates that 'Michael,' 'Andreas,' and 'Thomas' are the most common among male candidates, while 'Anna,' 'Anja,' 'Julia,' and 'Susanne' are prevalent among female candidates. Five parties have designated candidates for the chancellorship, signaling their readiness to lead a government, despite the fact that the actual election of a chancellor will occur later by the members of the Bundestag. The participating parties include the Union, AfD, SPD, Greens, and BSW, each keen to assert their potential leadership roles. As the election date draws closer, these statistics serve as a vital reminder of the democratic process at play and the diverse representation vying for power in Germany's next legislative session.

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