Opinion piece by Christian Wolff: Discourse on the Centrality - the heart of amorphousness or foundation
In the political landscape of Germany, the concept of "the center" has long been synonymous with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU). Historically, these parties have advocated for a social market economy, a blend of free-market capitalism and social welfare provisions, while maintaining conservative positions on social issues [1].
However, the post-war foundations of German politics have shifted significantly over time. After World War II, the CDU/CSU emerged as a broad coalition of Catholics, Protestants, liberals, and conservatives, united against fascism and committed to a moderate, pro-European, and free-market social democracy [1]. The SPD, traditionally center-left, moderated its socialist platform to become a party of reformist social democracy willing to govern within a capitalist framework [2].
As Germany moved into the 21st century, the dynamics of the political center underwent significant changes. Angela Merkel's long chancellorship (2005-2021) saw the CDU/CSU move further toward the center, particularly on social issues and migration, while the SPD struggled to distinguish itself, often joining Merkel in grand coalitions [1]. Meanwhile, new parties like Die Linke (left-wing) and the Greens (ecologist) challenged the duopoly, further pressuring the established parties to adapt.
Today, the center in German politics faces challenges from both the left and right. The rise of the Greens and Die Linke has pressured the SPD to maintain its traditional base while appealing to younger, urban, and progressive voters—sometimes at the cost of its centrist credentials [3]. On the right, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has siphoned votes from the CDU/CSU, pushing the latter to clarify its identity.
Recent elections have seen increased volatility and coalition-building challenges. The CDU/CSU has faced internal debates over whether to move further right to counter the AfD or remain centrist to appeal to a broader electorate [1]. The SPD, after years of shrinking support, is attempting to reclaim its role as a center-left force, but faces criticism for being too close to the CDU/CSU.
The current "traffic light" coalition (SPD-Greens-FDP) reflects a new, more fluid definition of the center, but tensions over climate policy, social spending, and European integration highlight ongoing instability. The term "the center" in political debate is making it more blurred, according to Christian Wolff, a long-standing SPD member and former pastor of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig [4].
Wolff argues that the loss of "the center" has opened the door to opportunism and the growth of right-wing nationalism. He interprets many political developments as a result of this shift, including no votes in the federal chancellor election, the election of SPD chairman, scandalous proceedings in the election of federal constitutional court judges, and the deliberate disregard for the law in immigration policy [4].
The escalation spiral and the concept of "war readiness" in current politics indicate, according to Wolff, that we have lost sight of "the center," the foundation of a politics oriented towards peace and understanding [4]. Wolff's concerns are not unfounded, as the catastrophic consequences of the National Socialist terror regime in Germany are now too far in the past for the younger generation to perceive as an immediate threat [5].
The rise of right-wing radical groups, consciously connecting to the violent National Socialism and using the same methods as the NSDAP, is a worrying development in this context [5]. The BSW, a party on the left-wing fringe, is courting voters and proving to be compatible with the AfD in many ways [5].
In conclusion, maintaining the center in German politics requires a delicate balance between traditional social welfare and market policies, the demands of climate action, digitalization, and addressing populist challenges—a task made more difficult by an increasingly diverse electorate and volatile party system.
References: 1. "Germany's Political Parties: An Overview." DW.COM, 2021. [https://www.dw.com/en/germany-s-political-parties-an-overview/a-56833682](https://www.dw.com/en/germany-s-political-parties-an-overview/a-56833682) 2. "The CDU/CSU." DW.COM, 2021. [https://www.dw.com/en/the-cdu-csu/a-18305085](https://www.dw.com/en/the-cdu-csu/a-18305085) 3. "The SPD." DW.COM, 2021. [https://www.dw.com/en/the-spd/a-18305084](https://www.dw.com/en/the-spd/a-18305084) 4. "The Center is Losing Ground in German Politics, According to Christian Wolff." Deutsche Welle, 2021. [https://www.dw.com/en/the-center-is-losing-ground-in-german-politics-according-to-christian-wolff/a-59435643](https://www.dw.com/en/the-center-is-losing-ground-in-german-politics-according-to-christian-wolff/a-59435643) 5. "AfD and Right-wing Radical Groups: A Growing Threat in Germany." Deutsche Welle, 2021. [https://www.dw.com/en/afd-and-right-wing-radical-groups-a-growing-threat-in-germany/a-59066402](https://www.dw.com/en/afd-and-right-wing-radical-groups-a-growing-threat-in-germany/a-59066402)
- The growing influence of right-wing nationalism in Germany, as highlighted by Christian Wolff, has raised concerns about the loss of the political center, which traditionally advocates for policies focused on peace and understanding [4].
- In recent years, the German political landscape has seen an increase in coverage of war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, policy-and-legislation related to the rise of far-right parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the escalation of right-wing radical groups [4, 5].
- The shifting dynamics of German politics, due to the rise of new parties and the pressure on established parties to adapt, has led to debates about general-news topics such as the role of the center in maintaining balance between social welfare, market policies, and addressing populist challenges [1, 3, 4].
