Elections and the electoral system in Germany

In short: In the federal election citizens elect the Bundestag every four years. The electoral system combines election of individuals and proportional representation and is known as “personalised proportional representation”.

In more detail: German citizens aged 18 and over are entitled to vote; the election is universal, direct, free, equal and secret.

In detail

• First vote: Directly elects a constituency deputy.
• Second vote: Decides the balance of the parties in the Bundestag.
• Five-percent hurdle: Parties need at least five percent or three direct mandates to enter parliament.
• Forming a government: Mostly a coalition of several parties; the Federal Chancellor is elected by the Bundestag.
• State, local and European elections: Further levels with their own rules.
• Postal vote: Possible without special reason.
• Wahl-O-Mat: Online tool for comparing party positions.
• Why vote: Only those who vote influence politics (demokratie-grundlagen, parteien-und-politische-willensbildung).