2013 German federal election
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| 2013 German federal election | |
|---|---|
 Alexander.kurz · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source | |
| Election name | 2013 German federal election |
| Country | Germany |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2009 German federal election |
| Previous year | 2009 |
| Next election | 2017 German federal election |
| Next year | 2017 |
2013 German federal election was a pivotal event in German politics, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape, with major parties such as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) vying for power, alongside other notable parties like the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Alliance '90/The Greens. The election was held on September 22, 2013, with Angela Merkel seeking to secure her third term as Chancellor of Germany, while facing challenges from opponents like Peer Steinbrück of the SPD and Jürgen Trittin of the Alliance '90/The Greens. The election campaign was marked by debates on key issues like the European sovereign-debt crisis, Renewable energy policy, and the role of Germany in the European Union.
Background
The 2013 German federal election took place against the backdrop of the European sovereign-debt crisis, which had significant implications for Germany's economy and its role in the European Union. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its leader, Angela Merkel, had been at the helm of German politics since 2005, with Merkel serving as Chancellor of Germany and playing a key role in shaping European Union policy, including the Treaty of Lisbon and the Fiscal Compact. The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), led by Sigmar Gabriel, was seeking to regain power, while the Free Democratic Party (FDP), led by Philipp Rösler, aimed to maintain its influence in German politics, having been a coalition partner of the CDU in the previous government. Other parties, such as the Alliance '90/The Greens, led by Jürgen Trittin and Katrin Göring-Eckardt, and the Left Party, led by Gregor Gysi and Katja Kipping, also played important roles in the election.
Campaign
The campaign for the 2013 German federal election was marked by debates on key issues like the European sovereign-debt crisis, Renewable energy policy, and the role of Germany in the European Union. Angela Merkel and the CDU focused on their record of economic stability and leadership in Europe, while Peer Steinbrück and the SPD emphasized the need for greater social justice and investment in education and infrastructure. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) campaigned on its traditional platform of liberalism and free market economics, while the Alliance '90/The Greens highlighted the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development. The Left Party advocated for a more radical approach to addressing social and economic inequality, including the introduction of a wealth tax and increased public investment in social welfare programs. Key events during the campaign included the Bundestag debate on the European Stability Mechanism and the European Central Bank's role in addressing the European sovereign-debt crisis, as well as the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, where Angela Merkel and other world leaders discussed global economic issues.
Parties and candidates
The main parties and candidates in the 2013 German federal election included the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Angela Merkel, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), led by Peer Steinbrück, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), led by Philipp Rösler, the Alliance '90/The Greens, led by Jürgen Trittin and Katrin Göring-Eckardt, and the Left Party, led by Gregor Gysi and Katja Kipping. Other parties, such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), led by Bernd Lucke, and the Pirate Party Germany, also participated in the election. Notable candidates included Joachim Gauck, the President of Germany, who played a neutral role in the election, and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the former Foreign Minister of Germany, who was a key figure in the SPD's campaign. The election also saw the involvement of various European Union institutions, including the European Commission, led by José Manuel Barroso, and the European Parliament, which had recently held elections in 2014.
Results
The results of the 2013 German federal election saw the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) emerge as the largest party, with Angela Merkel securing her third term as Chancellor of Germany. The CDU won 41.5% of the vote, followed by the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) with 25.7%, the Alliance '90/The Greens with 8.4%, and the Left Party with 8.6%. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) failed to clear the 5% threshold, resulting in the loss of all its seats in the Bundestag. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) also failed to enter the Bundestag, but won 4.7% of the vote. The election results had significant implications for the formation of a new government, with Angela Merkel seeking to form a coalition with the SPD, led by Peer Steinbrück, or the Alliance '90/The Greens, led by Jürgen Trittin and Katrin Göring-Eckardt.
Aftermath
The aftermath of the 2013 German federal election saw Angela Merkel form a grand coalition with the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), led by Sigmar Gabriel, with Peer Steinbrück serving as Minister of Finance. The coalition agreement included key policies such as the introduction of a minimum wage and increased investment in education and infrastructure. The election results also had significant implications for the European Union, with Germany playing a key role in shaping European Union policy, including the European Stability Mechanism and the Fiscal Compact. The election marked a significant shift in German politics, with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) dominating the political landscape, while other parties, such as the Alliance '90/The Greens and the Left Party, continued to play important roles in German politics. The election also saw the emergence of new parties, such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which would go on to play a significant role in future German elections, including the 2017 German federal election.