Germany Political Parties
A clear, up-to-date guide to the political parties of Germany: Social Democratic Party of Germany, CDU/CSU (The Union), Alliance 90/The Greens, Free Democratic Party, Alternative for Germany, The Left, BSW – Alliance for Social Justice and Economic Reason. Their ideologies, leaders, and where they stand.
Germany has a proportional system with a 5 percent threshold, and governments are coalitions. Since 2025 Chancellor Friedrich Merz has led a coalition of the CDU/CSU and the SPD. The far-right AfD is the largest opposition party, followed by the Greens and The Left. The FDP and the BSW narrowly failed to enter the Bundestag in 2025.
This guide sets out where each party stands: its history, its core ideology, and its positions on the economy, social questions, and foreign policy. Use it to understand the Germany political landscape, then take the test to see where your own views fall.
CDU/CSU (The Union)
Centre-right · Founded 1945
Germany's main centre-right alliance, made up of the CDU and its Bavarian sister party the CSU, leading the government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Read full profile →Alternative for Germany
Far-right · Founded 2013
A right-wing populist and nationalist party, now the second-largest party and the main opposition in the Bundestag.
Read full profile →Social Democratic Party of Germany
Centre-left · Founded 1863 (as the ADAV); 1875 (merger)
Germany's oldest party and the junior partner in Friedrich Merz's coalition government after losing power in 2025.
Read full profile →Alliance 90/The Greens
Centre-left · Founded 1993 (merger; West German Greens 1980)
Germany's green party, which governed in the traffic light coalition until 2024 and is now in opposition.
Read full profile →The Left
Left-wing · Founded 2007
Germany's democratic socialist party, which recovered strongly in 2025, especially among young voters.
Read full profile →BSW – Alliance for Social Justice and Economic Reason
Left-wing (socially conservative) · Founded 2024
A party founded by Sahra Wagenknecht that combines left-wing economics with conservative views on migration and a Russia-friendly foreign policy.
Read full profile →Free Democratic Party
Centre-right · Founded 1948
Germany's liberal party, a frequent kingmaker in the past, now out of the Bundestag after the 2025 election.
Read full profile →Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Germany political test to see how your views compare with these parties.
Take the Germany Test