Germans prepare for snap election as coalition collapse leads to new voting dynamics

Germans will vote in a snap election on Sunday after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition collapsed. The election uses a hybrid voting system that combines single-member constituencies with proportional representation, aiming for a fixed parliament size of 630 seats. A new law prioritizes proportionality, meaning some constituencies may remain vacant if a party wins more seats than their national vote share. This change could impact parties like the Christian Social Union, which traditionally performs well in single-member districts. The election features a competitive landscape, with parties needing at least 5% of the national vote to enter parliament. The outcome could result in a parliament with four to eight parties, complicating coalition-building for potential chancellor Friedrich Merz.