A Busy Start to 2025

The first two weeks of 2025 have been marked by significant political developments in the United States, as the country transitions into a new era under President-elect Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress. From the swearing-in of the 119th Congress to debates over immigration and the Supreme Court’s influence, here are the key political decisions and events shaping the nation.

1. The 119th Congress Begins

On January 3, 2025, the 119th Congress officially convened, with Republicans holding a slim majority in both the House and Senate. The House faced immediate challenges, as Speaker Mike Johnson sought re-election amid internal party divisions. Despite opposition from some Republicans, Johnson secured the speakership, but his ability to govern with such a narrow majority remains uncertain.

Berlin, Germany – As 2025 begins, Germany finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with a series of political and economic challenges that could shape the future of Europe’s largest economy. From a snap federal election to rising energy costs and growing concerns over immigration and cybersecurity, the year ahead promises to be a defining one for the nation.

Snap Elections Loom Amid Political Turmoil

Germany will hold federal elections on February 23, 2025, seven months earlier than originally planned. The decision to call a snap election came after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition government collapsed under the weight of internal disagreements and policy failures. The conservative CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, is widely expected to emerge as the strongest party, but forming a stable government will be no easy task in a politically fragmented landscape.