Germany votes today (February 23) after the breakdown of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government coalition, caused by tensions between parties over the nation’s ailing economy.

A Politico survey conducted on February 12 reports that Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU) are at the top with just shy of 30% voter backing. The AfD right-wing party is close behind at 21%, followed by Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) at 16%. The Greens (Alliance 90/The Greens) have 12%.

Immigration: An Urgent Problem

Immigration is a central concern, particularly following a series of deadly attacks attributed to asylum seekers.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz, the current favorite in the polls, has advocated for tough border policies, including deporting all illegal immigrants and asylum seekers. This is a far cry from his party’s previous leader, Angela Merkel.

Merz also advocates for stricter citizenship laws and tighter family reunification rules, prompting Chancellor Scholz to accuse him of trying to “bury Europe.” The SPD, though also supporting stronger border security and deportations, promises a more “humane and consistent” approach.

Meanwhile, the far-right AfD has called for a “bulwark” against illegal migration, pledging round-the-clock border patrols and reduced benefits for asylum seekers.

Continued Support for Ukraine

Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany is still the second-largest military benefactor of Kyiv, behind the United States.

In spite of Donald Trump’s own changing position on Russia, Germany’s big parties are united in supporting Ukraine. But Merz and Scholz do not see eye to eye on supplying military aid. Merz calls for dispatching Taurus missiles that can penetrate Russian airspace, while Scholz cautions that this would be like “playing Russian roulette.

Conversely, AfD, Die Linke, and BSW have called for the complete cessation of all arms exports to Ukraine. The CDU/CSU, SPD, and Greens have indicated an intention to spend more on the military above the NATO 2% GDP threshold.

Germany’s Economic Challenges

Germany, currently in a recession, has voters worried about financing investments in defense, green energy, and infrastructure.

SPD and the Greens call for abandoning the debt brake, a constitutional provision limiting deficits to 0.35% of GDP in any given year, to free up more government spending. CDU/CSU, although relatively accommodating, emphasizes reducing taxes on companies and slashing unemployment benefit for those not willing to work.

Merz, who was famous for pronouncing “a tax return should fit on a beer coaster,” has vowed to reduce bureaucracy and red tape. Scholz, on the other hand, suggests reducing income taxes for 95% of families, increasing the inheritance tax, and restoring the wealth tax.

The liberal FDP is firmly in favor of the debt brake, prefers pro-business policies, and seeks to cut public expenditure.

Energy Policies Split Parties

Germany is still highly polarized regarding its energy policies, such as the transition away from Russian gas, nuclear energy, and coal. The CDU/CSU would like to repeal the 2035 European combustion engine ban to save the ailing automobile sector.

Furthermore, the party supports bringing back nuclear power and scrapping a Green Party legislation that encourages renewable heating systems. In order to balance increased energy prices, the Greens are calling for a climate allowance for citizens.

AfD leader Alice Weidel, however, has branded wind turbines “windmills of shame” and questioned climate change itself.

Culture Wars: Reversing Progressive Policies

The AfD and conservatives are promising to undo a number of progressive policies brought in by Scholz’s coalition.

For example, they promise to overturn the legalization of cannabis, claiming it has spawned violent gang warfare—a contention disputed by supporters who say it serves to stem the black market.

They also intend to reverse gender transition easing measures, taking a stand against what they term “woke” culture.