The Road Ahead: Implications of Germany’s Federal Election

On February 23rd, 2025, Germany will hold a federal election to elect the 630 members of the 21st Bundestag. Originally scheduled for September 2025, the election was advanced due to the collapse of the governing coalition in late 2024. this election is pivotal, with significant potential to reshape Germany’y political landscape and influence its domestic and foreign policies. 

The election’s outcome will influence Germany’s policy direction on critical issues such as immigration, economic strategy, and climate change. Internationally, Germany’s stance within the European Union, its foreign policy, and its role in global economic and environmental initiatives could undergo significant shifts based on the new government’s composition and priorities. As Germany approaches this pivotal election, the decisions made by its electorate will have lasting implications on both domestic policies and international relations. Understanding the platforms, potential coalitions, and key issues at stake is essential for anticipating the road ahead for Germany. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Steven E Sokol, President and CEO of the American Council on Germany.  

Steven E. Sokol has been the President and CEO of the American Council on Germany since 2015. Previously, he served as President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and prior to that he was the Vice President and Director of Programs at the American Council on Germany. Prior to this, Dr. Sokol served as the Deputy Director of the Aspen Institute Berlin, was the Head of the Project Management Department at the Bonn International Center for Conversion GmBH (BICC), and a Program Officer in the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Earlier in his career, he also was a Program Manager at the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and was a paralegal at Fulbright & Jaworski.

Dr. Sokol holds a Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University as well as an M.A. in International Relations and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University’s Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. He has also studied at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität in Heidelberg and as a Fulbright Scholar at the Free Universität in Berlin. Dr. Sokol serves on several non-profit boards and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He was awarded a Bundesverdienstkreuz (Order of Merit) for his work to strengthen German-American relations.