A Look at the Social Democratic Party of Germany

We can trace the origins of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) back in 1875 when two other political actors – the General German Workers` Union and the Social Democratic Workers` Party – merged.

The current German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is a member of the Social Democrat Party. He previously served as Vice Chancellor in the fourth cabinet of Angela Merkel.

Over the years the Social Democratic Party has used a considerable number of electoral tactics to win support from voters and to consolidate its position on the German political landscape.

On September 26, 2021, voters elected the new Bundestag (the national parliament), where the social democrats obtained 25,7%. If we are to compare with the elections from 2017, where the SPD obtained 20.5%, the party`s overall score improved by 5 % (meaning an additional 53 seats).

One of the main elements used by the SPD is the promotion of welfare policies. This party has traditionally been associated with the concept of the welfare state and has advocated policies such as universal health care, affordable health services, affordable housing, and a strong social safety net. By positioning itself as a champion of these policies, the SPD managed to win the support of voters who rely most heavily on these services.

The SPD has also been known to engage in coalition building as a tactic. Given the nature of the German political system, in which no single party usually wins a majority of seats in parliament, forming a coalition is often necessary to form a government. The SPD has managed to use this to its advantage by forming coalitions with other parties to gain power and influence.

Over the years, the party has been led by charismatic figures such as Willy Brandt, Gerhard Schroeder, and most recently Olaf Scholz. These leaders have contributed to shaping the party’s image and message and have been key in attracting voter support.

The SPD used a variety of tactics to win elections in Germany, including the promotion of welfare policies, coalition building, online campaigning, and strong leadership.