The 2025 German Bundestag elections have resulted in significant shifts within the political framework, particularly benefiting the Südschleswigsche Wählerverband (SSW). Celebrated as the only party representing the Danish and Frisian minorities, the SSW managed to secure its place once again, thanks to the absence of the five-percent electoral hurdle.
According to preliminary results, the Union party, led by Ministerpräsident Daniel Günther, claimed victory. The CDU's strong showing, reportedly over 28 percent, came alongside disappointment for the SPD, which saw its lowest electoral return since 1949, trailing even behind the AfD.
Christian Dirschauer, the Landesvorsitzender of the SSW, declared the election results as fulfilling their goal of retaining their seat in the Bundestag. “After the current status, we have achieved our election goal: to keep the SSW in the Bundestag,” Dirschauer stated to the Deutsche Presseagentur. He emphasized the importance of this historic success for the party.
While the CDU and SPD grapple with their respective positions, the SSW has received encouraging support from its base. Election reports indicated the SSW amassed approximately 76,126 second votes, well surpassing the 40,000 threshold needed for representation. This was a notable climb from the 55,578 second votes garnered during the last election.
Stefan Seidler, who has been the SSW's representative since 2021, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, citing recognition for the party's hard work. “I am extremely satisfied with our party's results,” he remarked after preliminary counts indicated strong support from Schleswig-Holstein voters. “We have brought the issues from northern Germany to the agenda.” Seidler's advocacy for regional concerns like coastal protection and minority rights has contributed to his popularity.
The election also shared insights on voter engagement, achieving approximately 82.5 percent turnout, which is notable compared to past elections. The broad involvement is seen as reflective of the electorate’s interest level and is attributed to pressing national and local issues.
Meanwhile, reactions of other parties to their performance varied significantly. The AfD celebrated its apparent ascent, with Landesvorsitzender Kurt Kleinschmidt recognizing their alignment with national trends as indicative of growing support.
On the other end of the spectrum, the SPD expressed dismay. SPD officials, including Serpil Midyatli, publicly labeled the outcome as “bitterly disappointing.” Declaring, “The SPD has never finished this weak before,” Midyatli acknowledged the long trend leading to this result, attributing key failures to recent party strategies.
With major shifts occurring, discussions about coalition possibilities are now underway. Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz’s CDU is expected to explore potential partnerships to form the next government, leading to speculations about alliances with the SPD or the Greens—and the direction they would take the nation.
Overall, the election results signal both opportunities and challenges moving forward. The SSW’s effort to establish and maintain relevance demonstrates the potential for smaller parties to effect change within the broader political narrative. The unique position of the SSW as representatives of minority interests can significantly impact legislation and discussions surrounding regional concerns from 2025 onwards.