What role do the German political parties assign to Europe?

HS – 01/2025

There will be a lot at stake in Brussels when Germany elects a new parliament on 23 February. Stable governments, especially those in the larger Member States, are important for a strong European Union (EU). Moreover, Germany has disrupted internal processes due to disagreements within the governing coalition, making decision-making within the Council even more difficult. The election manifestos show that the centrist parties are united in their pro-European orientation, but they set different priorities.

SPD in favour of an externally strong EU

In its election manifesto the SPD focuses in particular on EU foreign and defence policies. Europe must speak with one voice in order to assert its values and interests worldwide. The SPD is in favour of a European defence union, a strong European defence industry and arms policy. As far as cooperation with other Member States is concerned, the SPD would especially like to use the Weimar Triangle (Germany, France and Poland) as a driving force to initiate new projects. The SPD is also in favour of treaty reforms to abolish the unanimity principle in the Council and wants to introduce a right of initiative for the European Parliament.

More Europe only in selected areas for the CDU/CSU

The CDU/CSU election manifesto calls for more Europe only where it creates clear added value – for example to strengthen the internal market and competitiveness, to complete the energy and capital union and to pursue ambitious targets in the climate protection, foreign trade and migration sectors. Other unnecessary tasks should be cancelled, and the subsidiarity principle should be respected. The CDU/CSU also want to reduce bureaucracy and make the EU more capable of acting by reforming its institutions and working methods.

Plea for a stronger (social) Europe from Alliance 90/The Greens

The Alliance 90/The Greens election manifesto wants a Europe that guarantees social security and sets binding targets for a strong social pillar. This is one of the reasons why the Greens are calling for better financial resources for the EU through new own resources. With regard to intra-European cooperation, the Greens see the Weimar Triangle as an important form of cooperation for advancing the EU. Their target is a federal European republic with its own constitution. The EU institutions and EU electoral law should be reformed in order to abolish the unanimity principle in the Council, grant the European Parliament a right of initiative and to elect some of the Members of the European Parliament via transnational lists in the future.

The FDP sees the Commission as the "main source of bureaucracy"

The FDP election manifesto focuses on the one hand on reducing the excessive bureaucracy imposed by Brussels – for example by abolishing reporting obligations as part of the Green Deal – and on the other hand on further developing the strategic sovereignty of the EU. For the FDP, the latter means an independent ability to act with regard to foreign policy. This also includes strengthening both the defence and security policy as well as the European defence industry.

The AfD rejects the EU in its current form

The AfD rejects the EU in its current form in its election manifesto. It sees "illegitimate de-democratisation, centralisation, over-regulation and a planned economy emanating from Brussels" and therefore advocates leaving the EU. It is to be replaced by a new economic and interest community. The AfD is in favour of reintroducing a national currency and withdrawing from the EU's asylum and migration policy. At the same time, certain tasks, including the protection of the EU's external borders, would be organised jointly within the new community.

A social and peaceful Europe is the main focus for the Left

The Left's election manifesto aims for a social EU that is committed to international equality and helps people on low and middle incomes. Accordingly, more public money should be invested in climate-friendly development, education, health and social welfare. Social cohesion should also become a priority of EU policy in order to improve the living conditions of citizens throughout the EU. With regard to reforms, the Left wants the European Parliament to be given the right of initiative and for EU-wide referendums and plebiscites to be made possible.

BSW wants a return to the EU's core peacekeeping tasks

In its election manifesto the BSW speaks out against EU bureaucracy, the centralisation of power within the European Commission and the admission of new Member States. Instead, responsibilities should be transferred back to the Member States, as for example social achievements could be better protected at national level. BSW therefore rejects deeper integration towards a European federal state. The EU is to concentrate on its core tasks, including the establishment of digital sovereignty.