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Party System Transformation in Germany

91
Rubric: Europe: New Realities
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2021-65-2-29-36
F. Basov (fabasov2@mail.ru), 
Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO), 23, Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation
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Abstract

This article is devoted to the changes of the party system of Germany. In recent years, the transformation of the party system has caused several political crises. Party spectrum is pluralized and polarized in Germany. Regional differences also increase. In this situation, the German parties are in search of new dynamics. The consequence of this is that all the main parties are now factional. The system that existed in Germany for more than half a century, with the dominance of two political forces (CDU/CSU and SPD), gradually evolved into the “one and a half” party system (only CDU/CSU dominates). The question is whether evolution will continue towards simple multi-party system, or the “one and a half” party system will remain. With a significant degree of certainty, one can say that a return to a “two and a half” party system is impossible. Changes in the party-political system lead to an increase in the diversity of the composition of the coalitions ruling in Germany. German political parties should learn how to create coalitions of three political forces, also at the federal level. The main trend of the coming years for CDU, CSU and SPD will be an attempt to return to their traditional platforms. However, a full return is impossible. More frequent red-red-green coalitions can be expected, including the federal level. But, nevertheless, serious changes in the German party system did not lead to its chronic incapacity – the system adapted to them. 


Keywords

Germany, political parties, party system, factionalism, CDU, CSU, SPD, Left Party, Green Party, AfD


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For citation:
Basov F. Party System Transformation in Germany. World Eсonomy and International Relations, 2021, vol. 65, No 2, pp. 29-36. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2021-65-2-29-36

Contents World Eсonomy and International Relations. 2021, vol. 65, No 2

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