Just a reminder: parties on the official right end of the spectrum are not friends of you coming over here and find a job at least not for long and they’ll cut your benefits where they can. Ironically, there are many Germans with a migration background that vote for parties like CDU/CSU and AfD. In psychology they call that cognitive dissonance. And to put a cherry on top: Leon Muskler, the man that did the Nazi salute twice in front of millions of viewers is a big supporter of the AfD. That’s where my political commentary ends.
1. CDU (ChristlichDemokratische Union)
- Profile: Center‑right Christian‑democratic conservatives emphasizing prosperity, security, and traditional values.
- Quote: “Für ein Land, auf das wir wieder stolz sein können.” (CDU 2025 slogan: For a country we can be proud of again.)
- Additional: Friedrich Merz underscores this with his campaign motto #WiederNachVorne — “forward again” — promising stability and economic growth after “years of uncertainty.”
2. SPD (Social Democratic Party)
- Profile: Center‑left, committed to social justice, workers’ rights, and welfare‑state principles.
- Quote: “Mehr für dich. Besser für Deutschland.” (2025 slogan: More for you. Better for Germany.)
- Additional: Across decades, the SPD has emphasized shared progress; under Olaf Scholz in 2021, the theme “Scholz packt das an” (Scholz gets things done) reflected competence over ideology.
3. FDP (Free Democrats, Die Liberalen)
- Profile: Pro‑business, liberal‑economic; champions of individual freedom, lower taxes, less bureaucracy.
- Quote: “Bürokratie runter. Netto rauf.” (Reduce red tape. Raise net income.)
- Additional: Rooted in 1970s liberalism, the FDP is watchful of expansive state control and champions civil liberties.
4. Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (The Greens)
- Profile: Environmentalists and progressives centered on ecology, social liberalism, and human-rights policies.
- Quote: “Zuversicht.” (2025 slogan: Confidence.)
- Additional: Long advocating for climate-conscious economic models, the Greens are the change‑before‑it’s‑too‑late party.
5. Die Linke (The Left)
- Profile: Democratic‑socialist, anti‑austerity, pro‑worker, strongly pro‑EU social spending.
- Quote: “Alle wollen regieren. Wir wollen verändern.” (2025 slogan: Everyone wants to govern. We want to change.)
- Additional Line: Built from East Germany’s PDS and West dissenters, Die Linke continues pushing for public‑sector investment and wealth redistribution.
6. Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)
- Profile: Right‑wing populist, anti‑immigration, nationalist, Eurosceptic, climate‑change denial.
- Quote (campaign): “Deutschland. Aber normal.” (Germany. But normal.) (2021), followed by “Zeit für Deutschland.” (Time for Germany.) in 2025
- Additional: German intelligence classified AfD as “right‑wing extremist” in May 2025—highlighting its shift from eurosceptic newcomers to a more radical national‑conservative movement .
7. CSU (Christian Social Union)
- Profile: Bavaria’s regional conservative sister party to CDU—shares core Christian‑democratic values, more socially traditional and regional.
- Quote: “Damit Bayern in Deutschland stark bleibt.” (So that Bavaria remains strong within Germany.)
- Additional Line: CSU often takes a harder stance on immigration and law‑and‑order than its federal CDU partner.
FAQ – German Political Parties, Decoded
Which party is considered conservative in Germany?
The CDU (with its Bavarian sibling CSU) represents the traditional conservative camp: pro (car and beer) business, “cautious” on migration, and big on “stability.” Think Kohl and Merkel. Think suit-and-tie politics.
What’s the difference between CDU and CSU?
They’re technically sister parties. The CSU only exists in Bavaria and takes more hardline positions, especially on identity, homeland, and immigration. Nationally, they vote together in parliament. Their chieftain Markus Söder is famous for posting sausage porn on Instagram.
Is the AfD really far-right?
Yep. And it’s not just my opinion. Germany’s own domestic intelligence agency (BND) monitors parts of the AfD for extremist tendencies. If a party talks about “remigration,” that’s a neon red flag.
Are the Greens just about climate?
Nope. They’re a full-spectrum party now, running ministries and negotiating foreign policy. But their DNA is – at least officially – ecological and pacifist, even if governing has made them more pragmatic. They waved through Hartz IV (today’s Bürgergeld) and are not too opposed to delivering weapons into war zones. Just saying.
Is the SPD still a workers’ party?
In theory, yes. In practice, it’s complicated. Many voters now see them as centrist administrators rather than leftist reformers. Still, they remain pro-labor, pro-welfare, and EU-friendly. Their former head Gerhard Schröder, considers himself Putin’s best buddy and even went to visit him to convince him to stop the war in Ukraine. Enough said.
Are Die Linke Communists?
Well, depends on your definition of communist. They recently had a vast success at the federal elections because they mobilized thousands of young people who went door to door to talk with real people about real problems. They are the only party officially standing up against billionaires. There are some hickups regarding their stance towards Putin but a party with 100.000 members is bound to have some outliers.
Why does Germany have so many parties?
Because it can. The mixed-member proportional system gives smaller voices a chance—if they pass the 5% threshold. That’s why coalition governments are the norm, not the exception.
Where does the FDP actually stand?
Pro-business, anti-regulation, loves the word “freedom.” In the past they were often “kingmakers” in coalitions but struggled to connect with ordinary voters which is why they were blasted into oblivion by the voters. Well, I’m exagerating but they missed entry in the Bundestag by a fraction of a percent 😛 Your dentist probably votes FDP.
Who should I vote for?
That depends. Anyone further to the right than the SPD is not your friend whether you have a German passport or not. Don’t believe me but don’t come crying when you wake up. The AfD makes no secret out of their disdain for you. And yet there’s migrants that would vote for them. You can ‘t make this shit up but hey, human beings, right?
PS: The consensus among German political science and extremist researchers is clear: the horseshoe theory is outdated, misleading, and potentially dangerous. It oversimplifies complex realities, masks systemic issues, and—critically—can be misused to normalize or dismiss right-wing extremism.
Here’s some German resources, ideal for practice if you are interested in the subject:
- https://www.bmi.gv.at/104/Wissenschaft_und_Forschung/SIAK-Journal/SIAK-Journal-Ausgaben/Jahrgang_2024/files/Pfahl_Traughber_3_2024.pdf
- https://www.nf-farn.de/glossar-extremismus
- https://verfassungsblog.de/das-ende-des-hufeisens/
- https://jusos.de/argumente/die-geschichte-vom-hufeisen-warum-der-extremismusbegriff-ueberholt-ist/
- https://www.bpb.de/themen/rechtsextremismus/dossier-rechtsextremismus/200099/kritische-anmerkungen-zur-verwendung-des-extremismuskonzepts-in-den-sozialwissenschaften/
- https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Extremismus-links-ist-nicht-gleich-rechts-article21584203.html