SPD Support Plummets to 13 Percent Nationwide

Party in Crisis Following Internal Struggles and Policy Debates

The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) has dropped to just 13 percent in the latest ARD-DeutschlandTrend survey, reaching its lowest approval rating since January 2020. The decline comes in the aftermath of a turbulent party convention and a string of controversial policy debates that have cast doubt on the party’s direction and leadership. According to the poll conducted by Infratest dimap among 1,312 eligible voters, the SPD has lost two percentage points compared to the previous month.

Leadership Faces Mounting Criticism

SPD co-leader and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has experienced a significant drop in approval, falling nine points to just 30 percent. One out of two respondents expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. At the party convention, Klingbeil secured only 64.9 percent of delegate support, further exposing internal discontent.

In contrast, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) continues to gain public confidence, now reaching 42 percent approval. His growing popularity stands in stark contrast to the SPD’s deepening crisis and has fueled speculation about the stability of the ruling coalition. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), however, remains the cabinet’s most trusted figure, holding steady at 61 percent approval.

SPD Losing Ground Across the Political Spectrum

The SPD is struggling to retain voters on both ends of the political spectrum. Since the federal election in February, it has lost over 1.7 million voters to the CDU and more than 700,000 to the far-right AfD. At the same time, it has failed to reassert itself as the dominant center-left party. The Greens remain stable at 12 percent, and The Left has increased its support to 10 percent. The CDU/CSU bloc leads with 30 percent, while the AfD maintains a strong 23 percent.

Regional performance is also concerning for the SPD. In states such as Saxony, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt, support has fallen into single digits. Even in traditional SPD strongholds like North Rhine-Westphalia, the party polls at just 16 percent, with the CDU outperforming it significantly.

Unpopular Policy Decisions Stir Discontent

Several recent developments have contributed to the party’s declining fortunes. Debates over the reintroduction of military conscription, disputes surrounding the electricity tax reform, and the controversial “Peace Manifesto” signed by high-profile SPD members have all divided public opinion and highlighted fractures within the party.

The partial suspension of the promised electricity tax relief—now only applying to industrial, agricultural, and forestry sectors—has drawn criticism from within the coalition and the public alike. Many voters see this as a retreat from core social policy promises.

Additionally, proposed changes to the citizen’s income system (Bürgergeld), including tougher penalties for job refusals and a potential shift back to prioritizing employment over qualification programs, have sparked fresh debate. While half the population finds current sanctions adequate, 35 percent favor stricter measures. Only 12 percent believe the current rules go too far.

Military Readiness Divides Generations

Public discourse on military preparedness has intensified, with both concern and support spreading across the country. A full 57 percent of Germans report feeling anxious about how casually discussions around war-readiness are taking place. However, 63 percent believe Germany must enhance its military capabilities to secure peace in Europe.

Defense Minister Pistorius has stated that an additional 60,000 troops are needed to meet NATO commitments. The Bundeswehr currently fields about 180,000 soldiers. While 75 percent of respondents agree that Germany requires more military personnel, views on reinstating conscription remain divided by age. Among young adults aged 18 to 34—those most likely to be affected—only 51 percent support mandatory service. Across the entire population, 73 percent favor reinstating conscription for both men and women, aligning with recent steps taken in Scandinavian countries.

Growing Public Perception of Social Injustice

The drop in SPD support coincides with rising public frustration about inequality in Germany. Sixty percent of respondents believe the country is increasingly unfair—up three points from February. The last time such a level of dissatisfaction was recorded was in early 2010.

The perceived reasons behind this sentiment include widening income inequality (22 percent), burdensome tax and social contributions (13 percent), insufficient difference between wages and social benefits (13 percent), and a perceived preferential treatment of foreigners and asylum seekers (11 percent).

Social injustice now ranks as the third most pressing political concern among voters, trailing behind immigration (33 percent) and economic issues (21 percent). This reflects a shift in public mood that could have long-term consequences for all mainstream parties, but especially for the SPD, which historically positioned itself as the defender of social equity.

SPD’s Identity Crisis and the Coalition’s Future

Experts warn that the SPD is trapped in a political spiral. INSA Institute Director Hermann Binkert argues that the party’s repeated efforts to appeal to both progressive and centrist voters have diluted its identity. This has allowed both The Left and the Greens to attract disillusioned left-leaning voters, while the AfD positions itself as a new working-class party.

Political strategists within the CDU are reportedly advising Chancellor Merz to strengthen his position by maintaining a weak SPD as a junior coalition partner. However, concerns are growing that a weakened Social Democratic Party could lead to increased instability within the federal government.

The SPD’s ongoing difficulty in delivering clear, consistent messaging on critical issues such as migration, public safety, and social spending only adds to the impression that it is out of touch with everyday concerns. Voters increasingly feel that the party overlooks problems such as public transport security and harassment in public spaces, further fueling alienation.

As the party prepares to confront further internal and external challenges, SPD leaders like Klingbeil and newly elected co-chair Bärbel Bas must urgently redefine their agenda. Bas, who received 95 percent support at the recent party congress, enters the role with momentum, but must now address a party at risk of losing its voice in national politics.