Bundestag election 2025: Gießen in focus - who will take the race?

Bundestag election 2025: Gießen in focus - who will take the race?

The Bundestag election 2025, which was originally scheduled for September 28th, now takes place on February 23. This early election results from the dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), which resulted in the end of the traffic light coalition. Around 4.3 million voters are called for election in Hesse, including the approximately 180,000 first voters who were already able to take part in the European elections. The voter potential in Hessen has thus decreased by around 100,000 voters compared to the last election.

The constituency of Gießen, which comprises over 200,000 eligible voters from the district of Gießen and the Vogelsberg district, is marked as number 172. In the past legislative period, Felix Döring (SPD), Helge Braun (CDU), Uwe Schulz (AfD) and Ali al-Dailami (left/BSW) represented this constituency. Felix Döring, who received 30.4 % of the first votes in the last federal election, occurs again.

candidates and parties in the Gießen constituency

The direct candidates in constituency 172 have been determined. In addition to Felix Döring (SPD), Frederik Bouffier (CDU), Michel Zörb (Greens), Robin Jünger (AfD), Desiree Becker (left) and Björn Feuerbach (free voters) are in the race. Current surveys give the Union first place, followed by the AfD, the SPD and the Greens. FDP, Left Party and the BSW, on the other hand, have to worry about their move into the Bundestag. In Hessen, all parties recorded an increase in membership, whereby the CDU and the FDP in particular have an increase in party donations.

A special challenge can arise for small parties because they have to submit support signatures to take part in the election. The deadline for the election proposals and signature lists ended on January 20 at 6 p.m. The election posters are already attached in Gießen and the election campaign has officially started.

organization and implementation of the election

The election notifications are sent by February 2, and the deadlines for postal voting are shortened due to the early election. Brief voters only have two weeks to give up their voices. On the election day, the polling stations close at 6 p.m., the first forecasts are expected shortly afterwards, while the official end result is usually the next morning.

Voters have two votes in the Bundestag election: one first vote for a candidate in the constituency and a second vote for a party. It is important to note that the Bundestag elections in accordance with the Basic Law must take place between 46 and 48 months after the start of the election period. The new Bundestag is limited to 630 mandates, with overhang and equalization mandates.

For further information on the Bundestag election and the parties that compete in Hesse, a look at the website of the Hessian elections and FFH Nachrichten that offer comprehensive reporting.