Why did the Social Democratic Party of Germany perform poorly in the 2025 German election?

The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) experienced its worst election performance in over a century during the federal election held on February 23, 2025, securing only 16.4 percent of the vote and 120 seats in the Bundestag.12

Several key factors contributed to this poor electoral outcome:

• Economic Distress: The party faced significant backlash due to a stagnating economy characterized by high unemployment and sharp increases in the cost of living.12
• Policy Controversies: The government’s handling of ongoing issues regarding immigration and foreign policy negatively impacted the party's standing with voters.12
• Cumulative Crises: Following the 2021 election, the coalition government led by Olaf Scholz was immediately confronted by a series of disruptive events, including a resurgence of COVID-19, a migrant crisis, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, all of which strained the party's popularity.12