The SPD in the Run-Up to the 2025 General Election: from Chancellor's Party to Junior Coalition Partner?
The 20th legislative period (2021-2024) came to an abrupt end in the Federal Republic, following the dismissal of Finance Minister and Vice-Chancellor of the Liberal Democratic Party FDP, Christian Lindner, by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, due to deep political disagreements, in November 2024.
The diverging views on the budget (which culminated in the debate around the ‘debt brake’ and the financing of future-oriented investments) and the economy gave rise to increasingly virulent tensions between the coalition partners. These developments took place against a backdrop of paradigmatic shifts in foreign and defense policy, which explains, among other things, the exacerbation of the challenges facing the Traffic light coalition to the point of failure.
Looking back at the achievements and failures of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) in the Scholz government helps us to better understand the debates taking place in the run-up to the February 2025 federal elections, to understand what is at stake and to anticipate what priorities Germany is likely to set in the future.
Nicolas Batteux holds a doctorate in German history and civilization and is a lecturer in German civilization at the Université de Lorraine, attached to the EA 3944 CEGIL laboratory (Centre d'études germaniques interculturelles de Lorraine).
This publication is available in French (PDF): "Le SPD à l’épreuve des élections législatives de 2025 : du parti du chancelier au partenaire junior de coalition ?"
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Notes du Cerfa, No. 182, Ifri, February 2025
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The SPD in the Run-Up to the 2025 General Election: from Chancellor's Party to Junior Coalition Partner?
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
Recalibrating Europe’s Security: Building Partnerships in an Era of ‘Wrecking-Ball Politics
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Taking the Pulse: Does the EU Have a Germany Problem?
Are Germany’s economic, industrial, and political struggles becoming a liability for the EU’s ability to rise to the geopolitical moment?
From Protest to Power? The AfD Ahead of the Eastern State Elections
The September state elections will test the AfD’s transition from protest force to potential governing power amid growing political fragmentation and dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his coalition. While firmly established in eastern Germany, the AfD is also gaining ground in the west, raising questions about coalition-building and the future direction of German politics.
France-Germany: Overcoming Differences to Strengthen European Sovereignty
The Franco-German “reset” launched with Friedrich Merz’s appointment as Chancellor in May 2025 and given concrete form at the Franco-German Council of Ministers (FGCM) in Toulon in August 2025 was intended to address the structural challenges affecting the bilateral relationship. Yet it is clear that these ambitions have only been partially translated into concrete action. Since the beginning of 2026, Franco-German relations have entered a phase in which short-term challenges have combined with deeper divergences over priorities, policy approaches, and strategic culture.