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SPD the biggest winner in German Election

Posted on in Foreign Policy · International Peace · The Global Economy · The Environment

On Sunday, September 26th Europe’s largest economy, Germany, held a historic election. While the results have yet to be finalized it is projected that the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) received a plurality of the vote with 26%, ahead of their main rival the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) at 24.5%.

Assuming the outcome stands it will be significant considering the SPD hasn’t been in a position to form a governing coalition since 2005, and it is the worst performance by the CDU/CSU in several decades.

What is the importance of an SPD victory?

INSTRUCTORS: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Videos:

News Articles:

German elections: Centre left take narrow lead in tight vote

BBC News

September 26, 2021 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58698806

German election results 2021: live results and possible coalitions

The Guardian

September 26, 2021 https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2021/sep/26/german-election-results-exit-poll-and-possible-coalitions

SPD edges ahead of Merkel’s CDU in end-of-era German election

AL JAZEERA

September 27, 2021 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/27/spd-edges-merkels-cdu-in-end-of-era-german-election

Germany Elections: Social Democrats hold narrow lead in exit polling

FOX BUSINESS

September 26, 2021 https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/germany-elections-social-democrats-hold-narrow-lead-in-exit-polling

News Articles (Analysis):

Few fireworks but German election set to deliver a tight finish

FINANCIAL TIMES

August 29, 2021 https://www.ft.com/content/88c7d3fe-75bc-4580-970b-ae2eb2b1d239

Russia sows distrust on social media ahead of German election

POLITICO

September 3, 2021 https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-russia-social-media-distrust-election-vladimir-putin/

Opinion: Move over grand coalition — Germany wants change

DEUTSCHE WELLE

September 26, 2021 https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-move-over-grand-coalition-germany-wants-change/a-59318731

Who’s who in Germany’s historic election

CNBC

September 24, 2021 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/24/germany-election-whos-who-at-this-historic-vote.html

Assessment:

Writing: What is the significance of Germany’s recent election?  

Debate: How should the international community combat misinformation?  

Poll: Who is the world’s most powerful female leader now that Angela Merkel is stepping down?  

Short Answer: What are the ramifications if Germany is unable to form a coalition government?

Quiz:

Critics of Olaf Scholz believe that his socialist policies will hurt the economy. (T/F)

Angela Merkel has served as Chancellor of Germany for 16 years.  (T/F)

China has created polarization among the German people through misinformation about the effectiveness of COVID-19 measures . (T/F)

Which of the following German political parties is conservative?

a. CDU/CSU

b. Greens

c. SDP

d. The Left

Which German political party reportedly won a plurality of the vote?

a. CDU/CSU

b. Greens

c. SPD

d. FDP

Which of the following issues will the new German chancellor NOT have to combat?

a. Combating the pandemic.

b. A fuel shortage.

c. Climate change.

d. A changing economy.

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