1998 German federal election

1998 German federal election
SPD-Schleswig-Holstein · CC BY 2.0 · source
Country	Germany
Type	parliamentary
Previous election	1994 German federal election
Next election	2002 German federal election
Seats for election	All 669 seats in the Bundestag
Majority seats	335
Election date	27 September 1998
Turnout	82.2% ( 3.3 pp)
Leader1	Helmut Kohl
Party1	CDU
Alliance1	CDU/CSU
Last election1	294 seats, 41.5%
Seats1	245
Seat change1	–49
Popular vote1	17,329,388
Percentage1	35.1%
Swing	–6.4 pp
Leader2	Gerhard Schröder
Party2	SPD
Last election2	252 seats, 36.4%
Seats2	298
Seat change2	+46
Popular vote2	20,181,269
Percentage2	40.9%
Swing	+4.5 pp
Before election	Helmut Kohl
Before party	CDU
After election	Gerhard Schröder
After party	SPD

1998 German federal election was held on 27 September 1998 to elect the members of the 14th Bundestag. The election resulted in a decisive victory for the opposition SPD, led by Gerhard Schröder, ending the 16-year chancellorship of Helmut Kohl of the CDU. This marked a significant political shift, with the SPD forming a coalition government with The Greens, bringing the first red–green federal government to power in Germany.

Background

The political landscape was dominated by the long tenure of Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who had been in office since 1982 and was seeking a fifth term. His CDU/CSU coalition with the FDP had overseen German reunification and the move of the federal government from Bonn to Berlin. However, by 1998, the government faced significant public fatigue, persistently high unemployment exceeding 4 million, and economic stagnation often termed "Reformstau" (reform gridlock). The opposition SPD, after a string of electoral defeats, selected the popular Minister-President of Lower Saxony, Gerhard Schröder, as its chancellor candidate. Schröder positioned himself as a centrist figure, appealing to the "Neue Mitte" (New Centre), while the Greens, led by Joschka Fischer, prepared for potential governance.

Campaign

The CDU/CSU campaign, managed by Peter Hintze, centered on Helmut Kohl's experience and stability, warning against change during uncertain times. Key themes included the introduction of the Euro and Kohl's legacy from the Treaty of Maastricht. The SPD, advised by media strategists like Matthias Machnig, ran a modern, media-savvy campaign focusing on economic renewal and job creation, encapsulated in the slogan "Innovation and Justice". Gerhard Schröder avoided detailed policy, instead projecting a youthful, managerial image during televised debates and tours like the "Campaign Bus Tour". The FDP, led by Wolfgang Gerhardt, struggled, while the PDS campaigned strongly in eastern Germany. A pivotal moment was a televised debate between Kohl and Schröder on RTL.

Results

Voter turnout was 82.2%. The SPD achieved its best result since 1972 with 40.9% of the vote, winning 298 seats. The CDU/CSU fell to 35.1%, its worst showing since 1949, securing 245 seats. The FDP narrowly cleared the 5% electoral threshold with 6.2%, gaining 43 seats. The Greens entered the Bundestag with 6.7% and 47 seats. The PDS won 5.1% nationally, but due to winning four direct mandates in Berlin, it entered parliament with 36 seats. The result constituted a clear mandate for change, ending the Kohl government.

Aftermath

The election defeat marked the end of an era, concluding Helmut Kohl's historic chancellorship, which had spanned the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Treaty of Amsterdam. It prompted a period of introspection and leadership change within the CDU, eventually leading to the rise of Angela Merkel. For the SPD, the victory was celebrated as a triumph of modernized social democracy, influenced by the "Third Way" politics of Tony Blair and Bill Clinton. The success of the PDS solidified its role as a permanent force representing eastern German interests, while the Greens prepared for their first experience in federal government.

Government formation

Following the clear electoral arithmetic, Federal President Roman Herzog tasked Gerhard Schröder with forming a government. Exploratory talks quickly confirmed a coalition between the SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens. The coalition negotiations, held in Bonn, produced a detailed coalition agreement titled "Awakening and Renewal – Germany's Path into the 21st Century". Key negotiated policies included a planned phase-out of nuclear energy, reforms to nationality law, and the introduction of an eco-tax. On 27 October 1998, the 14th Bundestag elected Gerhard Schröder as Chancellor of Germany; Joschka Fischer became Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister, marking the start of the first Schröder cabinet.

Category:1998 elections in Germany Category:Federal elections in Germany Category:1998 in German politics