German Department Hosts 2025 Election Watch Party

On February 23, 2025, students and faculty gathered for a lively and engaging German Election Watch Party, organized by Achim Schmid in collaboration with students from the Duke Election Exchange. The event provided a unique opportunity for participants to experience the 2025 German federal election in real time, fostering discussions on politics, democracy and international perspectives.

In preparation for the watch party, Achim Schmid led a teaching project with students in a 400-level German course, focusing on the German electoral system and party platforms. As part of this project, students created informative posters on the major parties which were displayed at the event, sparking conversations among attendees.

The watch party featured a live stream of German news coverage, bringing the latest election results directly from Germany as the polls closed at 6 PM (noon ET). Attendees enjoyed light refreshments — including pretzels, of course! — while participating in a fun and competitive election-themed quiz with prizes for the winning teams. The event also served as a meeting point for students from various departments, faculty members and exchange students from Germany, creating an engaging space for political discussion and cross-cultural exchange.

Through this event, the German Department provided a space for students and faculty to engage with Germany’s political landscape and election process in an interactive and educational setting. Vielen Dank to everyone who joined in, and congratulations to our quiz winners!