Through elections, voters determine who represents them in parliament. The rules according to which elections are held, how votes are turned into mandates and who organises their implementation are therefore essential for the quality of democratic representation. We are supporting the reform process surrounding the Bundestag electoral law with our expertise and are also conducting research into questions of electoral organisation and the associated trust in elections.
For questions about elections and electoral law, please contact Daniel Hellmann at hellmann@iparl.de.
The second round of the mayoral election took place in Strausberg on 20 September. This had been preceded by irregularities in the postal vote. The district administrator initially prohibited the run-off elections. The Administrative Court nevertheless ordered that the run-off take place. However, following the run-off, the town councillors declared the entire mayoral election invalid. Daniel Hellmann sets out the background to these events in a report for rbb.
Following the Left Party’s election victory in Berlin, the debate over a red-green-red coalition is in full swing. The SPD and the Greens are setting out their conditions, but there is also support for an alliance with the Left Party. In this interview, Oliver Kannenberg explains how the talks will unfold over the coming weeks and what could cause them to fail.
What significance do the state elections in September 2026 hold for Chancellor Merz and the CDU? Danny Schindler discussed the situation within the party with the Spanish newspaper *La Voz de Galicia*.
Following the election in Saxony-Anhalt, the balance of power in the state parliament is complicated. Consequently, there is already speculation about a snap election. Daniel Hellmann explains for MDR AKTUELL how a snap election might actually be brought about.
Many citizens are not allowed to vote in the election for the Berlin House of Representatives because they do not hold German citizenship. They can now cast a symbolic vote in the so-called „symbolic election“. Daniel Hellmann gives his views on the prospects for electoral reform on rbb-Inforadio.
Ahead of the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, postal voting is once again the subject of false claims and uncertainty. The postal system and the security arrangements for received ballot papers, for example, are cited as potential points of vulnerability for electoral manipulation. Some are also concerned about the secrecy of the vote. Daniel Hellmann, amongst others, offers his analysis.
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