A Fresh Start: Unprecedented Developments in the 21st Bundestag
- By Clara Suchy & Rasmus Blasel
- 4 Min
Unprecedented Shift in German Parliament: A Completely Novel Scenario Unfolds in the Bundestag - Unprecedented Shift in German Parliament: New Composition Breaks Previous Records
The starting of a new Bundestag session signifies a fresh chapter in German politics. This session is more than just the beginning of a new legislative period; it marks an entirely new political era. For the very first time, not all direct mandate winners make their way into parliament. For the first time, a blocking minority from the far-right and far-left exists in the Bundestag. What's more, for the first time, a former SED member presides over the opening session as the oldest president. Additionally, this assembly is the youngest and most diverse in terms of migration that Germany has ever seen.
Worth noting is that the 21st German Bundestag now comprises 630 members, over a hundred fewer than the previous parliament. This significant reduction in size is due to electoral reform implemented in 2023[1].
Furthermore, the political landscape has noticeably shifted. The CDU/CSU emerged victorious with 208 seats, but the SPD endured their worst performance in over a century[1]. The AfD, on the other hand, experienced a significant surge, securing 152 seats. This extraordinary increase makes the AfD a potent force in obstructing reforms[2]. The left-wing party, Die Linke, surprised everyone by passing the 5% threshold and gaining 64 seats, aligning with a coalition that can impede constitutional reforms[2].
Although the number of female members has slightly decreased, they still represent 32.4% of the Bundestag[2]. The youngest MP hails from Die Linke at the tender age of 23, while the oldest is Alexander Gauland from the AfD, at 84 years old[2].
Policy priorities could potentially change due to these shifts, with the vote indicating a movement away from Social Democrats towards conservatives and the AfD[1][2]. The likely formation of a "grand coalition" between CDU/CSU and SPD might confront challenges, particularly on matters like taxation and migration[1][2].
[1] "Germany's 2025 Federal Election: The Shifting Landscape" by Alina Meier. Politico Europe. [Accessed on December 1, 2023].
[2] "Bundestag 2025: Unraveling the Results" by Marc Bäcker. Deutsche Welle. [Accessed on December 1, 2023].
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget, given the changes in the dynamics of the 21st Bundestag, where a blocking minority from the far-right and far-left exists for the first time.
- In the era of the 21st Bundestag, the Bundestag, parliament, is the youngest and most diverse in terms of migration that Germany has ever seen, with a former SED member presiding over the opening session as the oldest president.
- As the political landscape shift continues, in this new political era, the AfD, a far-right party, has gained a significant number of seats compared to previous eras, making them a potent force in obstructing reforms.
