2021 German federal election — general election to the 20th German Bundestag
The 2021 German federal election ended 16 years of Angela Merkel's chancellorship and produced a new SPD-led coalition government under Olaf Scholz.
Key Facts
- Election date
- 26 September 2021
- SPD vote share
- 25.7% (best result since 2005)
- CDU/CSU vote share
- 24.1% (worst result ever)
- Greens vote share
- 14.7% (best result in history)
- Coalition formed
- SPD, FDP, Greens (traffic light coalition)
- New Chancellor elected
- Olaf Scholz, 8 December 2021
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Incumbent Chancellor Angela Merkel, in office since 2005, chose not to seek re-election, creating an open contest for the chancellorship for the first time in over 16 years. The CDU/CSU's declining popularity and public desire for political change set the stage for a competitive multi-party race, with no single party positioned to govern alone.
On 26 September 2021, German voters elected the 20th Bundestag. The SPD emerged as the largest party with 25.7% of votes, narrowly ahead of the CDU/CSU at 24.1%. The Greens achieved their best-ever result at 14.7%, and the FDP won 11.4%. The AfD fell to fifth place, and the Left barely retained full representation through direct mandates despite falling below the 5% threshold.
Following coalition negotiations, the SPD, FDP, and Greens formed a 'traffic light coalition,' with Olaf Scholz elected Chancellor on 8 December 2021, ending CDU/CSU-led governance. Voting irregularities in Berlin later required repeat state and federal elections in 2023 and 2024 respectively, resulting in minor seat adjustments in the Bundestag.
Political Outcome
SPD-led traffic light coalition formed; Olaf Scholz elected Chancellor on 8 December 2021, replacing Angela Merkel after 16 years.
CDU/CSU-led grand coalition under Chancellor Angela Merkel
SPD-led traffic light coalition under Chancellor Olaf Scholz