New election: The timetable until the federal election

There are still around three months until the new election on February 23rd. Not much time for the parties: campaigns have to be designed with advertising agencies. Photo shoots, election posters, Germany-wide election campaign appearances, early party conferences must be organized.

Important dates leading up to election day:

Saturday, November 30th: The SPD presents Scholz as its candidate for chancellor at an “election victory conference”.Wednesday, December 4th: Scholz answers questions from MPs in the government poll in the Bundestag.Saturday, December 7th: The AfD leadership nominates Alice Weidel in Berlin Candidate for Chancellor.Wednesday, December 11th: Scholz submits a motion in the Bundestag to express confidence in him – in the Expectation that the opposite will happen.Monday, December 16th. The Bundestag votes on the vote of confidence. If Scholz loses this, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can, at his suggestion, dissolve the Bundestag within three weeks – i.e. until January 6th. Important: Even after its dissolution, the Bundestag remains in existence with all its rights and obligations until the new one meets (…) There is no time without parliament,” says a statement from the scientific services of the Bundestag.Tuesday, December 17th: The CDU and CSU decide at a joint board meeting in Berlin Election program.Saturday, January 11th: The SPD finally elects its candidate for chancellor at a party conference in Berlin.Saturday/Sunday: January 11th/12th. The AfD decides on its election program at a party conference in Riesa and appoints Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor. Sunday, January 26th: The Greens decide on their election program at a party conference in Berlin. February: Hot election campaign phase, in the middle of the cold winter. The election campaigners have to dress warmly or come up with alternatives to the usual outdoor appearances and rallies in the summer. Monday, February 3rd: The CDU meets for the early federal party conference in Berlin. Sunday, February 9th The FDP is meeting in Potsdam for an extraordinary federal party conference in preparation for the federal election. Sunday, February 23rd: Federal election

Further landmarks still without a fixed date:

December: Presentation of the Green Party’s election campaignFirst half of January: The BSW decides on its election program at a members’ party conference and names party founder Sahra Wagenknecht as the top candidate. Before the turn of the year, the campaign priorities should be published and the last three BSW regional associations in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania should be founded. December: Presentation of the election campaign and electoral key points of the Left. It remains to be seen whether there will be a regular party conference in January or just a small one. Announcement of the parties and political associations approved for the election by the Federal Returning Officer. Then it is clear who will be on the ballot paper. The Federal Election Committee first checks whether the parties that want to run have met all formal and legal requirements.