German Court Orders Rerun of 2021 Election in Parts of Berlin Due to Irregularities

Germany’s federal constitutional court has mandated a rerun of the 2021 federal election in specific areas of Berlin, the nation’s capital.

The court’s ruling, delivered on Tuesday, stipulates fresh elections in 455 out of Berlin’s 2,256 electoral districts, citing various irregularities that occurred during the polls held on September 26, 2021.

Among the challenges faced during the elections were shortages of ballots, resulting in long queues and extended polling station hours. Some stations had to remain open late to accommodate voters. Additionally, a loophole allowed ineligible minors to cast votes, while German nationals living abroad were also permitted to vote.

Deutsche Welle (DW), a state-owned media outlet, reported on these irregularities and highlighted the complexity caused by holding multiple elections on the same day as a city marathon, leading to further disruptions due to road closures.

The ongoing COVID-19 restrictions at the time further compounded the challenges faced during the electoral process.

The dissatisfaction with the election results prompted the Christian Democrats, Germany’s opposition conservative party, to challenge the outcome in court. They argued that at least half of Berlin’s voters should have the opportunity to cast their votes again in the federal election.

While Berlin reran its elections in February, there has been a persistent call from German politicians for the federal elections to follow suit. The country’s next national election is scheduled for 2025.