Social Democratic Party of Germany
A clear guide to Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) in Germany: its history, social democracy ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Germany
- Founded
- 1863 (as the ADAV); 1875 (merger)
- Position
- Centre-left
- Leader
- Lars Klingbeil
- Headquarters
- Berlin
The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) is one of the country's two traditional major parties and its oldest. After a heavy defeat in the 2025 federal election, it became the junior partner in a coalition led by the CDU/CSU under Friedrich Merz. Co-leader Lars Klingbeil is vice-chancellor and finance minister. Bärbel Bas served as his co-leader from June 2025 until she resigned the post in October 2026.
History
The SPD traces its roots to workers' associations of the 1860s and became the largest party in the Reichstag by 1912. Banned by the Nazis, it was refounded after 1945 and in 1959 dropped Marxism in its Godesberg Program.
It led West German governments under Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt from 1969 to 1982, and unified Germany under Gerhard Schröder from 1998 to 2005, whose Agenda 2010 labour reforms divided the party. It was junior partner to Angela Merkel for most of 2005 to 2021, then led the "traffic light" coalition under Olaf Scholz until it collapsed in late 2024.
Economic Policy
The SPD supports a strong welfare state, a higher minimum wage, stable pensions and collective bargaining. In the current coalition it agreed to loosen the constitutional debt brake for large investments in infrastructure and defence.
Foreign Policy
The SPD is pro-European and supports NATO and aid to Ukraine, though parts of the party favour a more cautious approach to arms deliveries and stress diplomacy.
Where They Stand
- Supports a higher minimum wage and stable pensions
- Agreed to loosen the debt brake for infrastructure and defence investment
- Backs collective bargaining and workers' co-determination
- Supports NATO, the EU and aid to Ukraine
- Favours modern citizenship rules alongside migration controls
Electoral Record
The SPD won the 2021 election with 25.7 percent, but fell to 16.4 percent and 120 seats in 2025, its worst result since 1887.
Position on the Political Compass
Social Democratic Party of Germany sits on the left-leaning side on economics and is moderate on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Willy Brandt
Chancellor, 1969 to 1974
Pursued reconciliation with Eastern Europe and won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Gerhard Schröder
Chancellor, 1998 to 2005
Introduced the Agenda 2010 labour market reforms.
Olaf Scholz
Chancellor, 2021 to 2025
Led the traffic light coalition through the energy crisis after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Sources and Further Reading
- Social Democratic Party of Germany (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitespd.de
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Germany political test to see how your views compare with Social Democratic Party of Germany and the other parties.
Take the Germany Test
Social Policy
The party is socially liberal and supports equality legislation, LGBT rights and modern citizenship laws, while backing tighter controls on irregular migration agreed with the CDU/CSU.