New Faces of the Bundestag: A Comprehensive Overview

The newly constituted Bundestag is taking shape, with significant changes following the recent elections. A month after the polls closed, the 630 members who will represent the citizens of Germany in the coming years have gathered for their inaugural session. This assembly reflects a blend of ages, genders, and professional backgrounds among the representatives.

Among the notable members is Luke Hoß, who at 23 years old is the youngest ever to be elected to the Bundestag. Originally from Stuttgart and now residing in Passau, Hoß has a background in law. He joined the Left party in late 2023 during a period of poor polling for the party. His election is attributed to a favorable position on the party list and a resurgence in support for the Left. Hoß is committed to advocating for higher wages and pensions while working to reduce living costs. He plans to donate the majority of his parliamentary salary to support individuals with low incomes, reflecting his upbringing in a financially strained household.

Conversely, Alexander Gauland, at 84, is the oldest member of the new Bundestag. While he initially stated he would not seek re-election, he ultimately reversed that decision. Despite being the eldest, he cannot claim the title of 'Alterspräsident' due to a rule change that assigns this title to the longest-serving member. Gauland's political history includes controversial statements that have drawn criticism over the years, yet he remains a prominent figure within the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Another key figure is Gregor Gysi, who at 77 has been a longstanding member of the Bundestag and now holds the position of 'Alterspräsident', allowing him to preside over the initial session. Gysi's political journey began with the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) and he has played a significant role in the resurgence of the Left party in recent years.

Julia Klöckner, a seasoned politician at 52, is set to become the Bundestagspräsidentin, the second-highest office in Germany. This appointment follows efforts to increase female representation within the Union party, which has seen a decline in the number of women in leadership roles. Klöckner has extensive experience in parliament and has previously run as the CDU's candidate for the position of Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Despite a slight increase in the number of women elected to the Bundestag, the overall representation remains low, with women constituting only 32.4% of the assembly. This stagnation is particularly pronounced within the Union and AfD parties, which have the lowest percentages of female representatives. In contrast, the Green party and the Left party are the only factions where women outnumber men, though their overall impact on the gender balance in parliament is limited due to their size.

As demographic shifts continue, the average age of Bundestag members is becoming more aligned with that of the general population, although younger representatives like Hoß are beginning to alter the age composition. The AfD holds the distinction of having the oldest average age among its members, while the Left party has the youngest.

Additionally, the proportion of representatives with a migration background has increased to 11.6%, though this figure remains below the national average of around 30%. Schahina Gambir, who fled Afghanistan as a child, exemplifies the growing diversity in the Bundestag and emphasizes the importance of representation for various communities.

Finally, legislative reforms have capped the number of Bundestag members at 630, addressing past issues with overhang and compensatory mandates. This change is expected to spark discussions between the Union and SPD on potential adjustments to the electoral system.