About: SPD
Why are Germany’s Greens rejecting the Austrian coalition model?
Many have seen Austria's new conservative-Green coalition as a model for Europe, and especially for Germany. But the German Greens quickly distanced themselves, motivated by strategic calculation, election tactics and a concern that their more idealistic electorate would not approve it. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s plans for automatic facial recognition meet fierce criticism
Germany's Interior Minister Horst Seehofer plans to use automatic facial recognition at 134 railway stations and 14 airports, according to a news report published on 3 January. Although official confirmation of the plan is still missing, an alliance between civil society and politicians has called for the banning of this surveillance technology. EURACTIV Germany reports.
New SPD leadership on its way to challenge Germany’s Grand Coalition
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) officially elected Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans as the new chairmen at a national conference on Friday (6 December). There was no vote about remaining in the Grand Coalition with the CDU/CSU conservatives, but the new leadership appears to have 'declared war' on them. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Record numbers of young voters backed AfD in Thuringia state election
The state elections in Thuringia on Sunday (27 October) demonstrated how strong the AfD was among young people under 30, who voted in record numbers for the far-right party. Die Linke (the Left) came in second, while the Greens lagged far behind. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Bundestag wants to impose climate tax on MPs’ official trips
The Bundestag's Council of Elders decided that there should be a climate tax for the official trips of MPs, starting in 2020. For the first time, the Council has started to debate the building blocks of Germany's recently proposed climate package. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
German Socialists list von der Leyen failures in damning paper to EU peers
Germany's Social Democrats have circulated a damning paper to their European political group in which they call Ursula von der Leyen an "inadequate and inappropriate candidate" to lead the European Commission ahead of a vote on her nomination next week.
Why the success of the German Greens might not be short-lived
The German Greens struggled to ride the wave of support it received a few years ago but, following their recent success in the EU elections, this time it looks like things could be much more long-lived. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel takes a look at the state of play.
Who can save Germany’s Social Democratic Party?
Andrea Nahles’ resignation plunged the German Social Democrats (SPD) into chaos. With state elections coming up, the party needs to find successors – but there are not many people to choose from. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
German Christian Democrats and Social Democrats slip up on climate protection issue
Climate protection played a central role in the results of the European elections. But German Christian Democrats and Social Democrats admit to not having sufficiently appropriated the climate protection issue. EURACTIV Germany reports.
In Germany, Greens consolidate rising political trend
The Greens from Bündnis90/Die Grünen are the big winners of the European elections in Germany. They nearly doubled their vote to finish second at 21%, ahead of the Social Democrats. Conservatives from the CDU/CSU also lost percentage points but managed to remain Germany’s strongest political force.
German immigration law will be adopted, despite disagreements
Leading German parties have struggled to find a common line on immigration. For the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), the draft bill on immigration does not go far enough. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
German SPD retreat: Barley, Bullmann and Moscovici call for fairer taxation
After a meeting between the SPD executive committee and the EU’s Commissioner for Economic Affairs in Berlin on Monday (11 February), all called for fairer taxation in Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Can Germany’s Grand Coalition survive Merkel’s withdrawal?
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be handing over the CDU chair, which will have an impact on the governing parties, the CDU, the CSU and the SPD. The coalition government is shaking. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
S&D chief tells Greek progressives to rally against New Democracy ‘chaos’
S&D President Udo Bullmann called on progressive political forces in Greece to join forces as the “only way to the country’s future” and not turn to a conservative New Democracy government, which has a big responsibility for the crisis.
Social Democrats sign up to new Merkel-led German government
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) decisively backed another coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives on Sunday (4 March), clearing the way for a new government in Europe's largest economy after months of political uncertainty.
Merkel forced to make ‘painful decisions’ on minister wishlist
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) will hold a special party convention today, during which the CDU base will vote on the coalition agreement. In advance, Merkel has announced her picks for ministerial posts. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s SPD vows to clash with ‘down for the count’ Merkel
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) will clash over policy with Angela Merkel in the next government, the main candidate to lead the centre-left party said yesterday (14 February), adding that the conservative chancellor was approaching the end of her career.
Merkel, SPD face new criticism over German coalition deal
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) faced further criticism on Monday (12 February) from within their own parties over a new coalition deal that must still be approved by disgruntled SPD rank-and-file members.
Merkel defends coalition concessions, says ‘younger people’ needed in government
Angela Merkel on Sunday defended "painful" concessions she has made to the Social Democrats (SPD) to win a fourth term as German chancellor and said criticism among her conservatives was not a sign her authority was waning.
German parties reach coalition deal ‘in principle’
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats agreed "in principle" on Wednesday (7 February) on a coalition deal, sources involved in the talks said, taking Europe's economic powerhouse a step closer to a new government.
The final straight: Party leaders launch German coalition talks
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives open coalition talks with their Social Democrat (SPD) partners on Friday (26 September), four months after the September election that left Europe's largest economy in an unprecedented state of political limbo.
Germany’s SPD warily backs formal coalition talks with Merkel
Germany's centre-left Social Democrats voted Sunday (21 January) to begin formal coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, bringing Europe's top economy a step closer to a new government after months of deadlock.
German grand coalition negotiators in favour of free trade
Trade deals TTIP and CETA are particularly controversial in Germany, where they have been met with fierce resistance. As negotiators continue to try and form a new government, the Socialists may come out on the losing side on trade policy. EURACTIV Germany reports.