SPD the biggest winner in German Election
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.
