Struggle of SPD in avoiding drop to lower league
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the most populous federal state and a kind of blueprint of the republic, is gearing up for its municipal elections on September 14. The stakes are high, as the results could serve as a major political mood test since the federal election in February.
The SPD, traditionally strong in NRW, is fighting to retain its former heartland. The party is facing a tough battle against relegation, with the AfD hot on their heels in the "Pott". This is particularly evident in Duisburg, where SPD party leader Barbel Bas won her own constituency of Duisburg I in February.
Barbel Bas, a beacon of hope for the SPD in Gelsenkirchen, is currently campaigning for the NRW municipal election. Known for her down-to-earth personality and working-class background, Bas is considered the prototype of a Social Democrat. She has confessed her interests in football, crime novels, British pop icons Sting and The Police, currywurst, fries, and König Pilsener - a Ruhr area beer.
According to a Forsa poll from early July, the CDU, SPD, and Greens could suffer losses in the municipal elections, while the AfD and Left could gain. The AfD, often compared to the wolf in sheep's clothing, only has the big capital in its sights, according to some political analysts.
Political scientist Norbert Kersting from the University of Münster considers it unlikely that an AfD politician could move into a larger town hall in NRW, as coalitions are usually necessary for majorities. Dirk Wiese, manager of the Bundestag fraction, believes the SPD is strongly present and deeply rooted in NRW, with down-to-earth and pragmatic candidates like Frank Dudda, Sören Link, Andrea Henze, Ralf Paul Bittner, and Nicole Reschke.
Understanding the everyday problems of people, being down-to-earth, and being credible are decisive factors in NRW, according to Wiese. The AfD, he claims, is not interested in the challenges of workers.
The municipal elections in NRW will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of the state and potentially influence federal politics. However, as of August 2025, there is no specific information available on the 2025 municipal election results in NRW or analyzing their impact on federal politics. For detailed analysis, consulting specialized German political news sources or official NRW election results would be recommended.
[1] Bundeswahl 2025: SPD fällt auf Platz drei - Die Zeit (German) [2] Bundeswahl 2025: Die SPD fällt in Ruhrgebiet hinter AfD zurück - Spiegel Online (German) [3] Migrant Voters in Germany: A Growing Force in Elections - Deutsche Welle (English) [4] Local Elections in Germany 2025 - Wiki (English) [5] German Local Elections 2025: Dates and Overview - Deutsche Welle (English)
- The topic of migration, particularly among voters in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), could play a significant role in the upcoming municipal elections due to the rising influence of migrant voters. (migration, NRW, elections)
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in various parts of the world have led to an increase in migration to Europe, which is a concern for many political parties, particularly those like the AfD, who question the integration of immigrants in Germany. (war-and-conflicts, migration, AfD)
- The longstanding policy-and-legislation on immigration has been a focal point in German politics, with new ideas being proposed on how to better address this issue, such as integrating migrants into the workforce and creating a more welcoming environment for them. (policy-and-legislation, immigration, politics)
- The general-news outlets in Germany are keeping a close eye on the crime-and-justice situation in NRW, as the current political climate has led to an increased focus on law enforcement and public safety. (general-news, crime-and-justice, NRW)
- Meanwhile, the world of sports, specifically football and European leagues like the Premier League, provides a welcome distraction for some people in NRW, offering a chance to escape from the tough political atmosphere and enjoy some friendly competition. (sports, football, European-leagues, Premier League)
