Berlin’s SPD launches early 2026 election campaign—sparking legal and ethical debates

A year before the polls, Berlin’s streets are already plastered with SPD posters. Critics call it premature—but the law says otherwise.

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2025 November 30 . 11:02 AM

1 min read

In this image, we can see an advertisement contains a car and some text.

Berlin’s SPD launches early 2026 election campaign—sparking legal and ethical debates

Berlin’s SPD has begun campaigning for its lead candidate, Steffen Krach, more than a year before the state elections. The move has sparked debate, with critics questioning whether such early commercial is appropriate. However, legal experts confirm the posters comply with local regulations.

The SPD’s campaign posters have appeared in the city centre, promoting Krach well ahead of the September 2026 vote. While Berlin’s Road Act restricts election advertising on temporary structures—like lampposts—to just seven weeks before and one week after the ballot, these rules do not apply to commercial advertising spaces.

The SPD’s campaign will continue without legal obstacles, as commercial advertising spaces have no time limits. Adrat’s objections highlight differing views on when election campaigning should begin. For now, the posters stay up, setting the stage for a long lead-up to the 2026 vote.