Big issues Where the parties stand

Climate The Greens want to bring the target date to make Germany carbon-neutral from 2045 to 2035, and they want to impose a speed limit on motorways. The CDU and FDP are against a speed limit. The SPD backs a limit but not the Greens’ climate targets.

Russia and China The Greens and FDP want a more confrontational approach to Russia and China. Olaf Scholz of the SPD and Armin Laschet of the CDU have been more reluctant to rock the boat.

Tax The SPD and Greens pledged to raise taxes to pay the costs of Covid, while the CDU and the FDP have promised to cut them.

Health and social security The Greens and SPD want to raise the minimum wage to €12 (£10). The CDU and the FDP are against this. The FDP wants rules on parttime work to be eased. The Greens and the SPD want to overhaul the benefits system.

Europe All the potential coalition partners back further EU integration, and the idea of a European army.