A leading political scientist is warning the Social Democratic Party (SPD) faces a significant risk of declining support after its first 100 days in a governing coalition with the Union parties. Wolfgang Schroeder, a former member of the SPD’s values commission until 2024, stated the party is struggling to become visibly distinct and to effectively negotiate compromises within the coalition. He indicated a fall in support below ten percent is a distinct possibility.
Schroeder emphasized the necessity of achieving balance in upcoming social reforms and austerity measures. He cautioned against a perception that the government is disproportionately burdening vulnerable populations while benefitting the more affluent, particularly in light of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s announced period of reforms. He called for a distinctly social democratic approach to policy, especially given the current context of resource scarcity. He suggested that the appointment of Bärbel Bas to a key role could facilitate a more equitable distribution of responsibilities between Lars Klingbeil and Bas, potentially fostering a more effective policy agenda.
Furthermore, Schroeder argued the SPD leadership must re-establish a clear societal identity for the party, differentiating it from the Union parties. He surprisingly highlighted Chancellor Merz as a potential catalyst for this process, noting his embrace of public debate and conflict – a contrast to the styles of both Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz. Schroeder believes Merz views the coalition as the central arena for shaping political discourse and that the SPD should leverage this dynamic to define its own position and profile.
