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Baden-Württemberg's SPD hits historic low in devastating election blow

A once-dominant party now fights for survival. After a crushing defeat, Germany's SPD faces rebellion from its youth wing—and a battle to reclaim relevance.

, and Administrator

2026 March 9 . 9:02 PM

1 min read

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Jusos want member survey after SPD's election defeat - Baden-Württemberg's SPD hits historic low in devastating election blow

Baden-Württemberg's SPD has suffered its worst-ever election result in the southwest. The party won just 5.5% of the vote, marking a sharp decline from previous years. Calls for fresh leadership are now growing louder within its ranks.

The SPD's support in the region has steadily weakened over time. In 2021, it secured 11% in the state election, but polls from 2025-2026 showed a further drop to 8-10%. While the decline was not sudden, the latest result confirms a long-term downward trend.

Following the defeat, Andreas Stoch, the state party and parliamentary group leader, announced his resignation from both roles. His departure comes as the party's youth wing, the Jusos, demands urgent change.

The Jusos are pushing for renewal to come from the grassroots, from the heart of our membership. They propose a member ballot to choose the next leader, arguing that current figures lack the vision to steer the party out of crisis. Daniel Krusic, state chair of the Jusos, has openly stated that existing leaders are unfit to address the challenges ahead.

The SPD now faces a period of internal restructuring after its historic low. The Jusos' push for a member-led leadership vote could reshape the party's direction. With Stoch stepping down, the search for a new strategy—and new faces—has already begun.