Which parties have gained members - Hesse’s political shift ahead of the 2026 municipal elections
Hesse’s political scene is transforming as parties gear up for the upcoming municipal elections in March 2026. Membership numbers for 2025 show clear winners and losers, with some parties rapidly expanding while others remain stable or decline. Campaigning has already begun, with activists working to rally support ahead of the vote.
The SPD remains Hesse’s largest party, ending 2025 with 40,125 members. Despite a slight overall drop, the party gained 1,538 new recruits last year, though 1,326 left and 823 members passed away. The CDU, Hesse’s second-largest party, maintained its numbers, finishing with 32,858 members—nearly unchanged from 2024.
The Green Party saw one of the biggest jumps, growing by 3,000 to reach 14,060 members by December 2025. The Left Party’s membership more than doubled, surging from around 3,000 to 8,300 after over 5,000 new sign-ups. Meanwhile, the AfD also expanded, adding 1,280 members to reach a total of 4,824.
Not all parties fared as well. The FDP’s numbers dipped slightly, falling from 6,715 in 2024 to 6,600 by the end of 2025. With elections just months away, parties are now focusing on turning membership gains into votes.
The latest figures set the stage for a competitive municipal election in March 2026. The SPD retains its lead in membership, but the Greens and the Left have made significant gains. Campaign efforts will likely intensify as parties push to convert their growing support into electoral success.
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