Crowds witness a heated debate between Scholz and Merz

The Bundestag election, scheduled for February 23, 2025, is fast approaching, and the race is heating up as the two main contenders, Olaf Scholz from the SPD and Friedrich Merz from the Union (CDU and CSU), engaged in a 90-minute debate on key issues such as migration and the economy.

The Union, a major political alliance in Germany, is unique in that the CDU can be voted for in all federal states, while the CSU can only be voted for in Bavaria. The Union's top candidate for the Bundestag election is Friedrich Merz, who was agreed upon as the Chancellor candidate by the CDU and CSU leaders in September 2024, following Markus Söder's withdrawal of his candidacy.

On the other hand, the SPD, another major party in Germany, emphasizes social issues, such as justice, as particularly important. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor candidate from the SPD, had significant differences with Merz on migration and the economy during the debate.

The debate was criticized for its lack of discussion on climate protection, a topic many viewers considered crucial. However, it was noted that there will be more debates with important politicians from different parties before the election.

In a Bundestag election, citizens vote for specific individuals and parties. With the first vote, one chooses a specific person, and with the second vote, one chooses a party. The Federal Chancellor, who determines the politics of Germany and holds the most political power, is elected by the Bundestag.

The Bundestag election is for the German parliament, where laws are made for the country. The party with the most votes can send the most members to the Bundestag. The Federal Chancellor, once elected, will lead the federal government of Germany.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Bundestag election 2025 and the debates between the candidates.