{"id":19692,"date":"2026-10-23T10:44:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:44:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.progressives-zentrum.org\/en\/?p=19692"},"modified":"2026-10-23T10:47:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:47:14","slug":"germanys-fractured-political-landscape-how-can-progressives-rebuild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.progressives-zentrum.org\/en\/germanys-fractured-political-landscape-how-can-progressives-rebuild\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany\u2019s Fractured Political Landscape: How Can Progressives Rebuild?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In our latest GPA Strategist Hour, we asked how the democratic centre can answer the AfD\u2019s autumn 2026 state election successes \u2013 and why community and movement building may be the key.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Germany\u2019s political landscape has shifted dramatically: The right-wing AfD recently has won two state elections, may soon lead a state government, and has topped national polls since September 2025. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his conservative party are under considerable pressure, while social democrats are struggling to balance the responsibilities of government with the need to rebuild its electoral credibility, and the Greens are still redefining their political offer after their time in government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the challenge for progressives and the democratic mainstream alike is twofold: responding to the far right while rebuilding political strength, confidence and a compelling offer of their own. And the question is: How?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the central question of our latest GPA Strategist Hour on October 14th, 2026 \u2013 an event series hosted in cooperation between the Center for American Progress<\/a> and Das Progressive Zentrum, chaired by their Policy Fellow Maria Sk\u00f3ra<\/a>. <\/strong>Together with 50 participants from the political and pre-political spheres in Germany, Europe and the U.S., Alexander Petring<\/strong>, Meliora Foundation \u2013 Civic Bridge and political adviser to social democratic Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, and David Simon<\/strong>, Chief of Staff to Franziska Brantner, Co-Chair of Alliance 90\/The Greens, discussed lessons learned \u2013 and how progressives can rebuild. The following reflects themes and arguments raised across the discussion and in line with the rules of the format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sober diagnosis: The SPD faces a profound strategic and electoral renewal challenge after years of governing responsibility and compromise. The Greens, now in opposition, have rebuilt through internal renewal and a string of electoral successes, but remain short of coalition partners and of trust beyond their urban base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for strategies forwards amidst this situation, the discussion kept circling back to a core core idea: community, not just content.<\/strong> Participants argued that the 2026 elections were won by those who built belonging:<\/p>\n\n\n\n