Electoral Law

In accordance with Article 20 (2) of the Basic Law, all state authority is derived from the people. It is exercised indirectly by the people through specific legislative, executive and judicial bodies.

These bodies require democratic legitimation by means of elections. In our representative democracy, the central act of democratic legitimation is the direct election of the parliament. In accordance with Article 39 (1) of the Basic Law, the German Bundestag is elected for four years. The most recent elections for the German Bundestag were held on 23 February 2025

Further news and press release on the topic

Blätterfunktion

Immigration by skilled workers up considerably, irregular migration drops significantly type: press release , Date: 01 April 2025

What the Federal Government achieved in migration policy in the recently concluded legislative period

Digital border data type: press release , Date: 12 March 2025

Federal Minister Faeser and Czech Interior Minister Rakušan sign new border treaty. Spatial data help business and industry, transport and tourism as well as in the event of natural disasters / location of the border remains unchanged

"It must not be possible for the rule of law in our country to be sabotaged from within." type: News , Date: 19 December 2024

Bundestag debates on bills for improved protection of the Federal Constitutional Court in second and third reading

All news

More on the subject Electoral law

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    Members of the German Bundestag are elected in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections. Each voter has two votes: the first for a candidate representing a …

  • European elections

    Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) represent citizens of the European Union member states.

  • Foreign nationals' right to vote and stand for election

    Foreign nationals do not have the right to vote or stand as a candidate in federal or state elections or to vote in referendums at federal or state level.

  • Election of the Federal President

    The Federal President is the head of state of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Federal President is elected by the Federal Convention.

  • The Federal Returning Officer

    The president of the Federal Statistical Office is responsible for ensuring that nationwide elections are conducted properly.