Bundestag Elections in Germany Have Begun

The Bundestag elections have begun. Polling stations opened across the country at 08:00 on Sunday. Approximately 60.4 million residents of the country have the right to vote to elect the future composition of the parliament.

After the elections, a new government will be formed under a new chancellor based on the distribution of mandates in the Bundestag. The country operates under a mixed electoral system that combines majority and proportional principles. Half of the representatives are elected through direct voting in 299 electoral districts, while the other half are elected from party lists.

This parliamentary election features the largest number of parties since the reunification of Germany, with 47 political entities putting forward their candidates. The parties that have a real chance of entering parliament include the CDU/CSU alliance, the Social Democrats, the Greens, the Free Democratic Party (liberals), the Alternative for Germany, and the Left Party.

In total, 6,211 candidates, including 2,024 women, are competing for mandates in the Bundestag. Polling stations will remain open until 18:00, after which the first exit poll data and initial comments from representatives of political forces will be published. Preliminary results are expected to be presented on Monday night.