Final Debate of ARD and ZDF Features Leading Candidates Ahead of Elections

As the election campaign reaches its climax, the leading candidates from major German parties are set to participate in a pivotal debate hosted by ARD and ZDF. This event, taking place just days before the federal election, will provide a platform for candidates to present their positions on key issues and engage with one another.

The debate, scheduled for Thursday, February 20, will feature prominent representatives from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Greens, Free Democratic Party (FDP), Alternative for Germany (AfD), Left Party, and the BSW. The candidates include CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann, SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch, Green Party Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, FDP leader Christian Lindner, AfD leader Alice Weidel, Left Party leader Jan van Aken, CSU group leader Alexander Dobrindt, and BSW candidate Sahra Wagenknecht.

This final debate is critical as it precedes the federal elections scheduled for Sunday, February 23. Candidates will have one last opportunity to sway undecided voters during the live broadcast. The discussion will cover a range of pressing topics, including foreign policy, health care, and climate change, as announced by the broadcasters.

As the election date approaches, the stakes are high, particularly for smaller parties like the FDP, Left Party, and BSW, which are fighting for their chance to enter the Bundestag. The outcomes of this election could significantly impact coalition formations in the future government. Recent polls suggest that while the CDU and CSU lead, the performance of smaller parties will play a crucial role in determining whether a coalition can be formed without a third party's involvement.

In the run-up to the debate, polling indicates that the Left Party may secure between six and nine percent of the vote, while the FDP and BSW are hovering around the five percent threshold necessary for parliamentary representation. Meanwhile, the CDU remains the front-runner, followed closely by the AfD, SPD, and Greens.

The debate will commence at 10 PM and will be broadcast live on ARD and ZDF, as well as through online streaming. It represents one of the last chances for candidates to articulate their platforms and draw in potential voters before polling stations open on Sunday at 8 AM.