Abstract
The analysis of the 2025 federal election describes an extremely tense political situation in Germany before the election, characterized by profound coalition crises and structural reforms of the electoral system. The early election day on February 23, 2025 became a symbol of a “crossroads” that not only called into question trust in the established parties, but also the stability of the government. Central to this was the disintegration of the traffic light coalition as a result of internal differences – particularly with regard to the federal budget – as well as the associated personnel changes and strategic shifts in power. In addition, the electoral law reform of 2023 challenged the political system by changing the traditional proportional representation system and excluding direct mandates in some regions. The resulting rethinking of the electoral landscape, fueled by external crises and a polarization between established and more radical forces, reflects a fundamental change in political identification and expectations of future governing coalitions.