A party is an association of people who have the same political goals and want to participate in the political affairs of a country. Each party has a program which clarifies toward what goals it strives.
In order to be admitted to a federal or state election in Germany, each party must prove that it is stable, has many members and a presence in public. Upon meeting these requirements, a party can register with the Federal Election Commissioner ("Bundeswahlleiter"). If a party does not participate in a Federal Parliament or state election for six years, it loses its status as a party.
There are countless parties in Germany. We briefly present the most notable seven below. Each of these parties has an abbreviation (CDU, SPD, ...) and colour (black, red, ...). When discussing or reporting on the parties, oftentimes only the abbreviation or the colour is used. You can find a comprehensive list of political parties in Germany on wikipedia.de.
The CDU (Christian Democratic Union of Germany), currently the largest party in Germany, is often referred to as the "People's Party" or "Volkspartei". The CDU was founded in 1945. From 2005 to 2021, CDU provided the first and (so far) only female Federal Chancellor in Germany. The CDU is currently an opposition party in the Bundestag.
The CDU is oriented towards a market economy and also stands for traditional Christian values.
The party is associated with the colour black.
The CSU (Christian Social Union) is the "sister party" of the CDU- and together, they are referred to as the "Union". In elections, the CSU runs in Bavaria and the CDU in the remaining 15 federal states.
The CSU has similar objectives as the CDU, but is more conservative and more traditional and fights primarily for the interests of the state of Bavaria.
The colour of the CSU is blue.
Founded in the 19th century, the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany) is the oldest party in Germany. It is also known as "People's Party" ("Volkspartei") and is currently in the federal government together with the Greens and FDP.
The SPD advocates social justice and is close to the worker unions.
Red is the colour of the SPD.
The Alliance 90/The Greens (Bündnis 90/Die Grüne) was founded in 1993. It is an amalgamation of the West German party "Die Grünen", (founded in 1980) and the East German party "Bündnis 90" (founded in 1991). The Greens developed from various social movements such as the anti-nuclear movement, the peace movement and the environmental movement -and the "Alliance 90" party was composed of multiple civil rights movements in East Germany.
The party is primarily committed to environmental protection and social issues.
Alliance 90/The Greens has been part of the federal government again since 2021.
The colour of the party is green.
The FDP (Free Democratic Party) was founded in 1948. It is a relatively small party, but has often been involved in the federal government and mostly works with the CDU/CSU.
FDP has been part of the federal government again since 2021.
The FDP is committed to a liberal market economy and a simple tax system.
The colour of the party is yellow.
The Left Party was founded in 2005. It emerged from SED, which was a GDR party known as PDS (Party of Democratic Socialism) and a split-off of the SPD. It is a small party, especially popular in the eastern German states. Despite its strong presence in local, state and federal politics, the left was never managed to become part of a government in the Bundestag. However, it has been an opposition party in the parliament (Bundestag) without interruption since 2005.
The left Party stands for social justice and peace.
The colour of the party is red, but it is often shown as dark red or purple.
The AfD (Alternative for Germany) was founded in 2013 as a protest party against the established ones. It is represented in all state parliaments and has been an opposition party in the parliament, "Bundestag", since 2017.
The AfD is a right-wing populist party. It opposes the European Union and the admission of refugees. The party regularly makes headlines as many of its members stand out due to extreme right-wing statements and membership in far-right groups. Due to its political disposition, large parts of the AfD are under the surveillance of the Federal Constitutional Court ("Bundesverfassungsgericht").
The colour of the AfD is blue.
All of the parties mentioned are currently represented in Parliament ("Bundestag"). On tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de, you can check the number of seats each party has.
All German parties must observe the Basic Law in their guidelines, programs and activities. If the Federal Constitutional Court classifies a party as a threat to the liberal democratic order, it can be banned. In the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, so far, only two parties have been prohibited.
Voting in Germany
Free elections are fundamental components of democracy. Through elections, all citizens can regularly participate in the political process and have a say in politics. The parties elected by the majority of voters are allowed to form a government for a definite period. If citizens are dissatisfied with the government's policies, they can vote them out in the next election.
German Basic Law
*** May 23, 2024, marks the 75th anniversary of the German Basic Law, that is, the German constitution, which is the basis of our coexistence in a free and democratic constitutional state. The Basic Law was promulgated in 1949. In the aftermath of the atrocious crimes committed during National Socialist tyranny, the creators of the Basic Law decided that human dignity should be paramount in the new law; so that nothing like the Nazi era ever happens again in Germany. You can learn more about the Basic Law in our video series: „Was wäre wenn?“ ***
The Basic Law or "Grundgesetz" is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. It includes the most fundamental rights that determine the way society is organised in Germany. No other law may contradict the Basic Law. For instance, the Asylum Act or the Criminal Law may not contain any ordinances which conflict with the Basic Law. The Basic Law is the most prominent body of law in Germany, hence stands above all others.
The Basic Law consists of 146 sections, i.e. "articles". The first 19 articles of the Basic Law contain the so-called "fundamental rights", i.e. the most significant human rights vis-à-vis the state, designed to protect the individual from despotism, injustice and violence from the state. Some of these fundamental rights, also referred to as "human rights", apply to everyone in Germany, regardless of residence status. The Basic Law also includes a set of other rights, referred to as "civil rights", which only apply to people who have German citizenship.
Established in West Germany in 1949, The Basic Law has been applying to all of Germany since the reunification of 1990. Many of the principles included are consequences of violations of human rights during the National Socialist dictatorship between 1933 and 1945. Fundamental rights have been given a central position in the Basic Law to ensure the atrocities of Nazi times cannot happen again.
The Federal Constitutional Court is in charge of monitoring and assuring compliance with the Basic Law. The government cannot simply amend it.
Certified Copies
You have most probably heard the term "certified copy" ("beglaubigte Kopie") or the phrase "you need to have your documents/certificates authenticated" in Germany. In particular, when applying at university or the Civil Registry Office ("Standesamt"), you are required to submit a certified copy of your diplomas or documents. Here you can learn what a certified copy is and how you can make a certified copy of your documents.
Discrimination
Discrimination is prohibited in Germany –nevertheless, many are affected by it. Whether when looking for accommodation, dealing with authorities, at work, schools, doctors' surgeries, during leisure time or with the police. Discrimination can occur in all areas of life. Am I not allowed into the club because I have a disability? Did I not get the job because I wear a headscarf? Are my children treated worse at school because they speak little German? Does the police pick me to check on the long-distance bus because I have a different skin colour? Does the cab driver refuse to take me because I am trans*? Experiences like these lead to feelings of anger, powerlessness and helplessness. Such discrimination also harms social coexistence.
However, you do not need to simply accept discrimination: you have the legal right to defend yourself against it – everyone in Germany does; regardless of their origin or residence status. This right is enshrined in the German Basic Law as one of the human rights. It is also regulated in the General Equal Treatment Act ("Allgemeinen Gleichbehandlungsgesetz" or AGG). You can take legal action against discrimination - and in certain cases, it is worthwhile to do so.
Police in Germany
The primary task of the police is to protect us from dangers and to fight crimes. That is why the police's motto in Germany is "The police, your friend and helper". The police in Germany has nothing to do with the intelligence agency or politics. When in an emergency, you can reach the police at any time by dialling the free helpline number 110.
What the police can and cannot do is specified in the German law. For example, to search an apartment, police officers need the permission of a judge - unless a person in the apartment is in great danger and needs rescue.
Please note: Do not try to bribe the police. Any attempt to bribe the police is severely punished in Germany.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence refers to the cases in which a family member, acquaintance or other person abuses you in a physical, sexual or emotional manner. Domestic violence usually takes place within homes, but can happen in any other place as well. Many people think of domestic violence as physical violence, i.e. sexual abuse or beatings. But domestic violence has various forms: being insulted, cursed at, threatened, or controlled is also domestic violence. And so is stalking, i.e. being followed and monitored by someone.
Any type of violence is punishable in Germany, i.e. the police are obliged to react when notified about domestic violence by you or a witness.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, remember that you are not alone. Studies show, for example, that one in four women in Germany experience domestic violence. For many victims, it is difficult to share their experiences with the police or at a counselling centre. Many victims are ashamed and hope that the situation will change, that the violent person eventually calms down and stop his abusive behaviour. In most cases, however, the severity and frequency of the violence increase with time, and the gaps between the individual outbreaks of violence become shorter and shorter.
There are numerous contact points for victims of domestic violence in Germany - you must not shy away from reaching out for help.
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