Germany

German Bundestag

Political system: Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s): 24 Sep 2017
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 24 Oct 2017
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake: 709
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election: 48

Notes:
Number of parties contesting the election: 48. 34 parties fielded candidates under the proportional representation system.

In addition 14 more parties ran under the Majority system.
Total number of candidates: 4,828

Notes:
Number of seats at stake: 709, including 46 overhang seats (Überhangmandate) and 65 balance seats (Ausgleichsmandate).

Number of candidates: 4,828 : 1,674 candidates ran under both majority and proportional representation (PR ) systems. In addition, 2,269 candidates ran only under the PR and 885 others stood only for the majority system.
Number of male candidates: 3,428
Number of female candidates: 1,400
Percentage of women candidates: 29.0%

Voter turnout

Registered voters: 61,688,485
Voters: 46,976,341
Voter turnout: 76.2%

Results

About the election: Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU), remained the largest parliamentary group, taking 246 seats in the 709-member German Bundestag (see note). The CDU/CSU's coalition partner in the outgoing government, the Social Democratic Party (SPD, led by former European Parliament President Martin Schulz), came second. The populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) entered the German Bundestag for the first time, becoming the third largest party. The newly elected legislature convened on 24 October and elected former Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU) as new Speaker. He succeeded Mr. Norbert Lammert (CDU), who didn't stand for re-election after 37 years in parliament.

The major electoral issues in 2017 included immigration, the economy, euro zone reforms and climate change. Following the elections, the SPD leader announced that his party would join the opposition. Lengthy coalition talks followed. Initial talks involving the CDU/CSU, the Free Democratic Party (FDP, led by Mr. Christian Lindner,) and the Green Party (led by Ms. Simone Peter) collapsed on 19 November, plunging the country into an unprecedented political stalemate. On 19 December, the CDU and the SPD agreed to hold exploratory talks on forming a new government. On 14 March 2018, Prime Minister Merkel formed a new coalition government comprising the CDU/CSU and the SPD.

Note:

In Germany, if a party wins more seats in the majority system (the first vote) than the results of the proportional representation system (second vote) would normally entitle it to, it can keep the additional seats, called "overhang seats" (Überhangmandate). Based on the 2013 amendments to the Federal Electoral Act, in cases where some parties obtain overhang seats, "balance seats" (Ausgleichsmandate) are added to other parties in order to ensure complete proportionality of the share of votes for all parties nationwide.

In 2017, the CDU and CSU won a total of 43 overhang seats and the SPD, three (thus there are 46 overhang seats in all). Seven parties (instead of five in 2013) entered the Bundestag. The entry of two more parties in 2017 required more balance seats, for a total of 65 seats. The 2017 legislature thus comprises 111 more members than the statutory 598 seats, or 709 in all. In comparison, the 2013 legislature comprised 631 members in all (including four overhang seats and 29 balance seats).
Number of parties winning seats: 7
Percentage of parties winning seats: 14.6%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition: 28.2%
Alternation of power after elections: No
Number of parties in government: 2
Names of parties in government: Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group	Total	Overhang seats	Balance seats	Overhang seats
Christian Democratic Union (CDU)	200	36	0
Social Democratic Party (SPD)	153		19	3
Alternative for Germany (AfD)	94		11	0
Free Democratic Party (FDP)	80		15	0
Left Party (Die Linke)	69		10	0
Green Party	67		10	0
Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU)	46		0	7

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 491
Number of women elected: 218
Percentage of women elected: 30.7%
Women Directly Elected: 218
Sources: German Bundestag (29.09.2017, 25.10.2017)

The Federal Returning Officer

Deutsche Welle

The Economist

CNBC

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 491
Total number of women after the election: 218
Percentage of women after the election: 30.7%
First-term parliamentarians: 262
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: 37.0%
Date of the first session: 24 Oct 2017

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Wolfgang Schäuble (Male)
Date of birth: 1942
Political party: Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
Date of election: 24 Oct 2017