Elections in Germany

Introduction

Elections in Germany are one of the firm pillars of the democratic system. Through them, citizens exercise their right to choose who represents them at different political and administrative levels.

Elections are not limited to the federal parliament alone; they take place at multiple levels, reflecting the country’s federal and decentralised structure.

In this article, we present the main types of elections in Germany and explain the voting methods used in each of them, in a clear and precise way that allows for a comprehensive understanding of this essential political process.

First: What are the types of elections in Germany?

The German electoral system comprises several main types of elections, depending on the level of government:

1. Federal parliamentary elections (Bundestagswahl)

Held every 4 years.
Used to elect the members of the Bundestag, the federal parliament that represents the German people.
These are the most important elections, as they determine the composition of the federal government and the choice of the Federal Chancellor (head of government).

2. State elections (Landtagswahlen)

Held in each of the 16 federal states (Länder).
Voters elect the state parliament (Landtag), which then chooses the state government.
The timing differs from state to state, and the campaigns tend to focus more on regional and local issues than on national ones.

3. Local and municipal elections (Kommunalwahlen)

Held at the level of cities, towns, municipalities and districts.
Mayors, lord mayors (in larger cities) and members of local councils are elected.
Residents from other EU countries who live in Germany are allowed to vote in these elections, even if they do not hold German citizenship.

4. Elections to the European Parliament (Europawahl)

Held every 5 years, in parallel with the other EU member states.
Used to elect Germany’s representatives in the European Parliament.
EU citizens residing in Germany are also entitled to vote in these elections.

5. Local referendums and popular votes (Volksentscheide / Bürgerentscheide)

Used in some federal states and municipalities to decide specific local issues through direct popular vote.
The conditions and procedures differ according to the laws and constitutions of each state.

Second: How does the voting process work in Germany?

Despite the different types of elections, the basic principles of voting are similar in almost all cases:

universal suffrage (as many citizens as possible may vote),
direct elections,
free and equal vote,
secret ballot.

The practical procedure is also similar. The following elements are especially important:

✅ The “two-vote system” in federal and many state elections

In federal elections – and in many state elections – each voter has two votes:

First vote (Erststimme):
- Used to elect a direct candidate in the voter’s constituency.
- The candidate with the highest number of votes wins a direct seat in the Bundestag or Landtag.
Second vote (Zweitstimme):
- Used to vote for a party list.
- It determines the overall share of seats each party receives in the parliament.
- The second vote is therefore the decisive one for the balance of power in parliament.

This mixed system combines local direct representation with overall proportional representation of political parties.

✅ Voting in local and European elections

In many local and European elections, voting is based mainly on lists:

Voters typically choose a party list or a list of a local voters’ group.
In some federal states, additional options exist:
- Panaschieren: voters can distribute their votes among candidates from different lists.
- Kumulieren: voters can give more than one vote to a single candidate.

These mechanisms allow for more nuanced expression of voter preferences and enhance local democratic participation.

Third: Who has the right to vote?

Citizenship:

German citizens have the right to vote in all elections, provided they fulfil the other conditions.

Age:

For federal parliamentary elections, the minimum voting age is 18 years.
In some federal states, voters can already participate in state or local elections from the age of 16 (depending on state law).

Residence:

Voters must usually have been resident in their electoral district or municipality for a certain minimum period before the election date.

Foreigners:

EU citizens:
- May vote in local (municipal) and European elections in Germany, if they live there.
Non-EU citizens:
- Have no voting rights unless they obtain German citizenship.
- After naturalisation, they enjoy full political voting rights.

Fourth: How are office holders elected?

Federal Chancellor (head of government):
- Not elected directly by the people.
- Elected by the Bundestag after the federal election, by a majority of its members.
Minister-Presidents of the states and mayors:
- Elected according to the specific rules of each federal state.
- In some states, mayors are elected directly by the people.
- State minister-presidents are usually elected by the respective state parliament (Landtag).
Federal President (head of state):
- Not elected directly by the people, but by the Federal Convention (Bundesversammlung), which consists of members of the Bundestag plus delegates from the state parliaments.

Fifth: What about postal voting?

Postal voting (Briefwahl) is a legally recognised option available to any eligible voter who cannot or does not wish to vote in person at the polling station:

Voters can apply for postal ballot papers online or by mail.
They receive their ballot papers by post and fill them in at home.
The completed ballot must arrive at the responsible authority before the official end of voting.

In recent years, the share of postal voters has increased significantly.

Sixth: The role of elections in the German political system

Elections in Germany are far more than a mere procedural formality. They:

provide democratic legitimacy to governing institutions,
reflect the will of the citizens,
ensure accountability and the peaceful transfer of power,
strengthen the representation of different social groups and interests.

Because the German system is federal, each level of elections – from local councils to the federal parliament – has a direct impact on citizens’ daily lives: on education, healthcare, housing and urban planning, transport, the environment and even foreign and European policy.

Conclusion

Elections in Germany reflect the strength of democratic institutions and the stability of the political system. They are carefully designed to give citizens a genuine opportunity to express their views and participate in political decision-making.

From parliamentary to local elections, and from in-person voting to postal voting, the electoral mechanisms in Germany enable people to choose their representatives at all levels of government, making them real partners in shaping public affairs and building the future.

* The writing and editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of various sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some information may not yet be fully verified. Therefore, the information in this article should be regarded as an initial, non-binding reference. For final and legally binding information, please always consult the competent authorities.