The SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany)
The SPD, one of Germany’s oldest parties, rooted in social democracy and workers’ rights, is at a crossroads. In the snap election held yesterday, February 23, 2025, they pulled in roughly 16% of the vote—a steep fall from 25.7% in 2021 and their lowest national result since the 19th century. This followed the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s “traffic light” coalition (SPD, Greens, FDP) in November 2024, after Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) was sacked over budget disputes. Scholz called the election after losing a confidence vote, and the SPD’s campaign couldn’t recover from public frustration over economic stagnation, rising energy costs, and coalition infighting. Key Facts About the SPD: Founded: 1863, making it one of the oldest political parties in the world. Political Ideology: Social democracy, center-left policies. Core Policies: Strengthening workers' rights and the welfare state. Higher minimum wages and better social security. Affordable housing and public ...