Germany’s European Election Results 1979–2024.
When Europeans head to the ballot box for EU elections, national politics inevitably colors the picture. In Germany, the evolution of voting patterns from the first European Parliament election in 1979 to the most recent one in 2024 tells a compelling story of shifting alliances, collapsing strongholds, and the rise of new political forces.
The Early Years: Bipolar Stability (1979–1989)
In the first decades, European elections mirrored the traditional dominance of CDU/CSU and SPD. In 1979, the SPD secured 40.8%, nearly level with CDU/CSU at 49.2% combined. The liberal FDP hovered around 6%, and the Greens, running for the first time, managed only 3.2%.
By 1989, the SPD still led with 37.3%, CDU/CSU dropped slightly, while the Greens rose to a notable 8.4%—and the right-wing Republikaner (REP) briefly disrupted the scene with 7.1%.
The 1990s: Grand Parties Lose Ground
From 1994 to 1999, the two major parties still dominated but began a steady decline. CDU/CSU together still exceeded 45%, and the SPD held between 30–32%. Yet, smaller parties like PDS (precursor to Die Linke) gained traction, and the Greens consolidated their place with a stable 10%.
The 2000s: Fragmentation Begins
The 2004 and 2009 EP elections signaled deeper fragmentation. CDU/CSU fell to the low 30s, SPD declined to around 20%, and the Greens and FDP moved between 6–12%. Crucially, this period marked the rising tide of protest and populist parties, though not yet at their later strength.
2014–2019: The Populist Surge
By 2014, the SPD managed 27.3%, but CDU/CSU slipped again. That year also saw the European debut of the far-right AfD (7.1%), securing a foothold in continental politics.
Fast forward to 2019, and the Greens made a historic breakthrough with 20.5%, doubling their share compared to 2014. Simultaneously, the AfD grew to 11%, signaling the spread of nationalist, EU-skeptic sentiment. Traditional parties weakened further: CDU/CSU managed only 28.9%, SPD fell to 15.8%.
2024: A Splintered Landscape
The most recent election represented both continuity and disruption. CDU/CSU together reached about 30%—similar to their 2019 result, but far below historical norms. The SPD’s 13.9% marked a historic low. The Greens slumped to 11.9% after their high point in 2019, while the AfD surged to 15.9%, cementing itself as a leading force.
Meanwhile, new actors entered the scene: the BSW (Sahra Wagenknecht’s movement) captured 6.2%, Volt and other minor parties collectively chipped away at the larger blocs. The result is an unprecedented fragmentation of Germany’s European vote.
Key Trends Across 45 Years
Decline of the Big Tent Parties: CDU/CSU and SPD, which once commanded 80–90% together, now barely surpass 40%.
Normalization of Small and Protest Parties: Greens, AfD, FDP, and Die Linke keep securing EP seats, reshaping discourse.
Volatile But Enduring Populism: From the Republikaner in the 1980s to the AfD today, protest parties have evolved from fringe to mainstream.
Green Momentum Followed by Retreat: The phenomenal upswing in 2019 fizzled in 2024, but environmentalism remains entrenched
Conclusion
Germany’s journey through ten European elections mirrors broader EU developments: gradual erosion of traditional party monopolies, rising fragmentation, and the strengthening of both progressive and populist movements. If the first European Parliament was a stage for centrist power blocs, by 2024 it has become a fragmented arena where new movements can quickly gain traction.
The story is clear: European politics is no longer dominated by stability, but by constant change.
Source: https://www.tagesschau.de/wahlarchiv/europaeisches_parlament
