Political scientist predicts SPD may dip below 10% in upcoming elections, signaling a crisis for the party
In the aftermath of forming a coalition government with the Union, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) faces challenges, according to political scientist Wolfgang Schroeder.
Schroeder emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance in the upcoming social reforms and cuts, stating that it must not appear that the government is burdening the weak and relieving the strong. He also suggested that the SPD must make itself recognisable again in society and distinguish itself from the Union to save itself and regain self-confidence.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced an autumn of reforms, which Schroeder is observing closely. However, he noted that Merz's focus on big-picture thinking might face challenges with smaller issues, contributing to coalition tensions.
To address these challenges, Schroeder suggests that the SPD should focus on the details of policies, engage in thorough negotiations with coalition partners, and ensure clear communication within the coalition to prevent misunderstandings.
Schroeder also predicts a high risk of the SPD crashing after 100 days in government with the Union. He views Merz as a potential partner due to his public conflict politics and his focus on pulling confrontation into the center.
Despite these challenges, Schroeder encourages the SPD to take advantage of the opportunity to lead relevant discourses, as the coalition is the center of power. He also emphasised the need for a clear, socially democratic profile in social policy in times of new scarcity.
However, Schroeder did not repeat his previous statements about the danger of the SPD slipping below ten percent or the possibility of a new reform policy leading to a better distribution of burdens between Lars Klingbeil and Barbara Bas in this context.
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