Germany's SPD grows anxious ahead of key regional elections
Germany's Social Democratic Party leadership projects calm publicly, but internal unease is rising ahead of three regional elections in September, while the German economy is showing a surprise export boost.
The leadership of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), Bärbel Bas and Lars Klingbeil, has been presenting a picture of normality within the federal government. Behind closed doors, however, unease is growing ahead of three upcoming state elections in September — in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Politico journalist Rasmus Buchsteiner discusses the internal scenarios being weighed and the shaky position of the party's leadership.
Weak standing in the capital
In Berlin, the SPD is also trailing far behind in the polls. The party's lead candidate for the Berlin election, Steffen Krach, addressed in a short interview how the federal party's troubles are affecting the race in the capital, and expressed hope that he could help turn the trend around.
Unexpected export growth
Despite a difficult overall environment, the German economy is currently surprising observers with a boom in exports. Politico Pro analyst Romanus Otte points to substantial growth in trade with Germany's European neighbors. This positive shift in European markets is currently offsetting the steep losses German exporters have suffered in the US and Chinese markets.
