In the run-up to the German federal election taking place on 23 February 2025, GADMO, EDMO’s Hub covering Germany and Austria, provides weekly insights into key election-related developments in Germany’s digital information space. Please note that the below is a semi-automated translation of the German version of the weekly election newsletter.
Last week was heavily influenced by two migration policy proposals debated in the German Bundestag. These motions, introduced by Christian Democratic Union chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, were put forward with the understanding that decisions might rely on votes from the far-right populist AfD pary. Since then, online platforms have been flooded with opinions and analyses on the topic. Spoiler alert: from a fact-checking perspective, we couldn’t avoid addressing this issue in our newsletter.
What we have uncovered recently
Misinformation isn’t always spread intentionally or maliciously – something illustrated by the controversy surrounding a video that ironically references the long-standing claim that people are paid “demonstration money” to attend protests. While many interpreted it as serious content, our investigation (in German) confirms it is purely satire.
In the lead-up to elections, Germany’s support for Ukraine continues to be a recurring theme – whether there should be more or less aid and whether parties are for or against such support. Opinions even vary widely within individual parties. However, one thing is clear: claims that the federal government has already “officially stopped” financial assistance to Ukraine are false, as confirmed by one of our fact-checks (in German).
Comparing party positions on key issues can help voters make informed decisions – but only when those positions are presented truthfully. In one sharepic posted by an AfD state parliament member from Baden-Württemberg, this was not the case. A fact-check (in German) exposed inaccuracies in his portrayal of party stances. His discomfort over being called out led him to issue angry threats in response to questions posed by a CORRECTIV journalist – a reaction that Reporters Without Borders later commented on via Bluesky.
Who got it wrong recently
Back to Friedrich Merz. Last Friday, his party proposed legislation aimed at limiting migration; however, the “Influx Limitation Act” was ultimately rejected. During his speech supporting this bill, CDU leader Merz claimed there were “daily group rapes originating from asylum seeker circles.” This statement quickly gained traction on social media but is demonstrably false based on police crime statistics – a discrepancy highlighted in our fact-check (in German).
How the election is being attacked
The legitimacy of elections is often attacked using specific narratives designed to sow doubt. This week we’re examining claims suggesting that Germany’s legal framework for conducting elections is invalid.
The Federal Election Act outlines how Bundestag elections are conducted in Germany and can be amended when necessary – for example, if certain provisions are deemed unconstitutional by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court. Such rulings occur occasionally; most recently last year when part of what’s known as the basic mandate clause was struck down. Unfortunately, these rulings are sometimes misused to question not just specific provisions but also the validity of the entire Federal Election Act – and consequently election results themselves. However, as clarified in its press release, the Federal Constitutional Court explicitly stated that its ruling applied solely to this specific provision and did not call into question the broader election law framework. Is this topic too complex for a short paragraph? You’ll find a more detailed explanation in this fact-check (in German).
