Germany's Climate Election: an Analysis

The German elections on September 26, 2021, brought major changes to the political landscape. With Chancellor Angela Merkel no longer running for office, her center-right Union fell to its worst result in history. The center-left SPD won first place behind its chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz, while the liberal FDP and especially the climate-focused Greens scored good results and can now act as kingmakers. The next government will take office at a crucial time for climate policy.

This brief report analyzes the climate policy positions of the four parties that might enter Germany's next governing coalition. It spotlights those elements particularly relevant for Germany's partners in the United States and Canada – promoting and facilitating transatlantic climate cooperation is the main objective of the Transatlantic Climate Bridge, the initiative behind this report.