Following the collapse of the German government in 2024, the federal elections, originally scheduled for 28 September 2025, was brought forward. Leading up to the early elections on 23 February 2025, RTL Deutschland is launching a special series under the title RTL Direkt spezial: Der Kandidatencheck (RTL Direkt special – The candidate check). In these special editions of the news magazine RTL Direkt, acclaimed journalist Pinar Atalay will do one-on-one interviews with top politicians from all parties that have a realistic chance to be elected to the next German parliament.

The series aims to provide voters with valuable insights into the policies and positions of key candidates ahead of the election. Each of the special programmes will focus on one candidate, discussing pressing issues and will offer voters an opportunity to hear directly from the leaders on topics that matter most.

The first three specials will air the week starting with 13 January at 22:15 on RTL Direkt:

• Tuesday 14 January: Robert Habeck (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen)
• Wednesday 15 January: Olaf Scholz (SPD)
• Thursday 16 January: Friedrich Merz (CDU/CSU)

Additional specials will follow in the next weeks, scheduled for:

• Monday 20 January: Alice Weidel (AfD)
• Monday 17 February: Christian Lindner (FDP)

RTL Deutschland’s election coverage is part of a broader effort of independent journalism available to the public in the run-up to the German election. A live TV duel between current Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his challenger Friedrich Merz is also planned for 16 February, led by Pinar Atalay und Günther Jauch. Discussions are currently underway with the leading candidates about other duel combinations.