Part 3/6:
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), traditionally one of the mainstays of German politics, experienced an unexpected downturn in this election, garnering only about 16% of the vote—its worst performance in decades. Many voters were surprised by this outcome, particularly given previous expectations that SPD leader Olaf Scholz had effectively presented the party’s agenda during the campaign. Issues like pensions had resonated deeply with the electorate, leading to promises of a stronger political presence that ultimately did not materialize.