About: SPD
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.
Poll: Martin Schulz’s popularity hits historical low
Social Democrat Martin Schulz's popularity dropped nine percentage points since last month to 30 percent below his predecessor in the leadership of SPD Sigmar Gabriel, according to a new poll.
German conservatives reject ‘United States of Europe’ ahead of coalition talks
Senior members of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives on Saturday (9 December) rejected the vision for a "United States of Europe" put forward by the Social Democrats (SPD), with whom they are hoping to form a governing coalition.
Merkel points to grand coalition with Social Democrats
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday (25 November) welcomed the prospect of talks on a "grand coalition" with her Social Democrat (SPD) rivals and defended the record of the previous such government, saying it had worked well.
Martin Schulz’ position as SPD leader ‘untenable’
The leader of Germany's Social Democrats came under growing pressure yesterday (23 November) to drop his opposition to a new "grand coalition" with Angela Merkel's conservatives, with senior politicians arguing the party had a duty to promote stability.
German crisis causes EU headache
Efforts to form a coalition government have failed, Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday (20 November), pitching Germany into its worse political crisis for decades, raising the prospect of fresh elections and causing the EU a serious headache.