About: SPD
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.
German elections: The race for third place
Voters head to the polls on Sunday (24 September) for a race where the winner is almost pre-ordained. This may drive a protest vote that could see the far-right AfD become the official opposition.
Merkel and Schulz butt heads over Turkey and migration in only TV debate
Turkey's place in Europe was in the spotlight during the only televised debate between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democrat challenger Martin Schulz on Sunday evening (3 September), which featured few other questions relating to the EU.
‘No mood for change’, one month before Germany vote
With a month to go until Germans head to the polls, Angela Merkel looks set to cruise to a fourth term as chancellor of a country showing little appetite for change.
German ex-Chancellor Schröder hits back in Russia row before vote
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder hit back at criticism of his planned new job at Russian oil producer Rosneft on Thursday (17 August), accusing his foes of political manoeuvring to help get Angela Merkel re-elected.
Merkel cheers poll win as ‘Schulz effect’ fizzles
German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday (27 March) welcomed a surprise state poll triumph by her party as "encouraging" for a September general election, as hype around her main rival fizzled in its first test.