German 2025 election: Meet top five candidates vying to be next chancellor

As Germans head to the polls today, no fewer than 59.2 million eligible voters, including millions who have already cast ballots by post, will determine the country’s next chancellor. 

The election has drawn intense scrutiny from Europe and the United States, with the campaign dominated by concerns over Germany’s faltering economy and security challenges linked to migration.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at the top candidates vying to become the country’s next chancellor.

     1. Friedrich Merz (CDU)

Leading the race is Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democrats (CDU), whose party holds a significant lead in the polls. At 69 years old and standing 198cm (6ft 6in) tall, Merz is a pro-business, social conservative known for his straightforward manner. 

His political career saw him overshadowed by Angela Merkel in 2002, leading to a departure from politics before returning to lead the CDU.

Merz’s campaign, under the slogan “A Germany we can be proud of again,” focuses on permanent border controls, stricter asylum policies, tax cuts, and reducing welfare spending by €50bn to revitalise the economy. 

He has also pledged stronger support for Ukraine. However, his stance on immigration sparked controversy when he attempted to rely on votes from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a move condemned by former CDU chancellor Angela Merkel and met with widespread protests. Despite this, he remains committed to bolstering Germany’s leadership in Europe and supporting Ukraine’s NATO ambitions.

      2. Olaf Scholz (SPD)

Incumbent chancellor Olaf Scholz, leader of the Social Democrats (SPD), seeks re-election after a tumultuous term. His government, plagued by economic struggles following Russia’s war in Ukraine, has been criticised for slow decision-making, particularly regarding military aid. 

However, Germany has emerged as Ukraine’s biggest European supporter, with Scholz vowing to continue assistance “for as long as necessary.”

Scholz’s SPD proposes a “Germany fund” for investment and a minimum wage increase to €15 per hour. While some in his party believe Defence Minister Boris Pistorius would have been a stronger candidate, the SPD remains a potential coalition partner despite tensions with Merz’s CDU.

     3. Alice Weidel (AfD)

Alice Weidel, 46, is the first chancellor candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) since its formation in 2013. Although her chances of winning are slim, she has gained significant traction on TikTok, with over 870,000 followers, and has been a prominent figure in televised debates.

Weidel, who has received backing from billionaire Elon Musk and recently met US Vice-President JD Vance, advocates mass deportations under the controversial term “remigration.” 

Throwing his weight behind Weidel in a tweet on Friday ahead of today’s election, Musk wrote, “Only AfD can save Germany.”

Weidel supports lifting sanctions on Russia, restoring the Nord Stream pipelines, and dismantling wind turbines, which she calls “windmills of shame.” Her party has gained ground, particularly in eastern Germany, with the slogan “Alice für Deutschland,” which critics say echoes a banned Nazi-era phrase.

ALSO READ: German 2025 election: Over 59 million voters to decide next chancellor today 

      4. Robert Habeck (Greens)

Robert Habeck, vice-chancellor and economy minister in the Scholz government, represents the Greens. His push for a phase-out of fossil-fuel heating systems faced resistance, contributing to a decline in the coalition’s popularity. 

However, he remains a staunch advocate for renewable energy, which accounted for 63.4% of Germany’s electricity production last year.

Habeck has taken a firm stance on Ukraine aid and has clashed with Merz over the CDU leader’s association with AfD votes.

     5. Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW)

Sahra Wagenknecht leads the newly formed BSW party, positioning herself as an alternative to the AfD with a platform of “left conservatism.” 

She supports strict immigration limits and opposes military aid to Ukraine, aligning with the AfD on foreign policy. However, her party faces an uphill battle to reach the 5% threshold needed for parliamentary representation.

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