This document summarizes the major political parties that are likely or not likely to enter the Bundestag in the upcoming German elections. It provides a brief overview of each party including their founding year, ideological stances, leadership, and polling results from the 2009 election and current polls. The parties discussed are CDU, Sozialdemokratische Partei, Freie Demokratische Partei, Bundnis 90/Die Gr端nen, Die Linke, Piratenpartei Deutschland, and Alternative F端r Deutschland.
3. CDU
Founded in 1945
The major catch-all party of the centre-
right.
Along with Christian Social Union of Bavaria
(CSU) the CDU forms the CDU/CSU grouping in
the Bundestag.
Angela Merkel more popular than her
party.
This is something the CDU earns from as
the elction campaign will be shaped by
personality issue.
2009: 27,3 %
Polling at: 37 %
Angela Merkel
4. Sozialdemokratische Partei
Was established as marxist party in 1875. Re-
established as socialist party after World War II.
Second major party in German politics.
Peer Steinbr端ck lead the party in the election.
Government programme for the election aims at
providing greater solidarity and social justice.
Key element of the strategy against poverty is a
general minimum wage of 8.50 per hour.
Steinbr端cks personal approval ratings are far behind
Angela Merkel.
2009: 23 %
Polling at: 27 %
Sigmar Gabriel
5. Freie Demokratische Partei
Founded in 1948.
Part of 14 out of 20 coalition governments
since 1949.
Pro-business party that promotes free market
economics and individual liberty.
Has suffered from regional election defeats
and internal conflict.
Used to be the kingmaker party this role
now taken by the Green Party.
Often get support votes from CDU voters.
Are attacking proposals for minimum wage
2009: 14,6 %
Polling at: 5 %
Philipp R旦sler
6. Bundnis 90/Die Gr端nen
The Green party was formed 1980, entered
Budestag 1983. United with Bundnis 90 in 1993.
Appeals to higher income households in urban areas.
Early on: anti-establishment, eco-libertarian and
post-materialist agenda. Now a broadened
programmatic stance.
Has earned votes from FDP setbacks.
Likely kingmaker party: included in three out of
four possible government coalitions.
Greens benefited from the FDPs transformation into
a more neo-liberal party
Katrin G旦ring-Eckardt and J端rgen Trittin are the top
candidates in the election campaign.
2009: 10,7 %
Polling at: 15 %
Claudia Roth/Cem
zdemir
7. Die Linke
Founded in 2007. Merger from post-
communist Party of Democratic Socialism
(PSD) a left-wing breakaway from the SPD.
Strong in Eastern parts of
Germany, loosing ground in the West
Appeals to older voters
Overshadowed by the other small parties
Are attacking low-wage sector, mini jobs
Not likely as a government partner
2009: 11,9 %
Polling at: 7 %
Katja
Kipping/Bernd
Riexinger
8. Piratenpartei Deutschland
Founded in 2006
Internet freedom and more accessible
politics
Appealed to young people
Has entered four state parliaments
Failed to manage their political victories
Internal fights
Online bullying instead of public debates
So small they do not show in several polls
In need of a miracle
2009: 2 %
Polling at: -- %
Bernd Schl旦mer
9. Alternative F端r Deutschland
Founded in april 2013
Single-issue party: Anti euro/pro EU
Technocratic revolt
Sees the euro as a doomed project
Polls show that 17 percent of voters could
imagine voting for them
Puts pressure on CDU
Not likely to enter the Bundestag
2009: -- %
Polling at: 3 %
Konrad
Adam/Frauke
Petri/Bernd
Lucke