The Zoologist's Guide to German Micropolitics

My attempt to understand parties I see in https://www.wahl-o-mat.de this year, tag shower-thoughts should show I’m not an expert here

While the headlines naturally focus on the heavyweights – the CDU/CSU, the SPD, the Greens, the AfD and others – the real fun (and by “fun”, I mean a slightly bewildering descent into the fascinating undergrowth of political micro-fauna) lies further down the ballot. These are the Kleinparteien – the small parties. The ones that make you think: “Wait, there’s a party for that?”

And the answer, more often than not, is: yes, yes there is. There are 41 parties that have been cleared to content in the upcoming Bundestag election. But this post isn’t just about the upcoming Bundestag election; it’s about the ecology of a political system that, in some ways, resembles a very strange and diverse rainforest.

The Ecology of Micro-parties: Why Do They Matter?

Why should I care about these tiny, often bizarre, political entities?

• They’re a barometer of public sentiment. The issues that these parties focus on, no matter how fringe they might seem, often reflect underlying anxieties and concerns within society. They can be early warning signs of emerging trends; the list of these parties is like an “encyclopedia of German life”.
• They can act as “spoilers” in close elections. Even if they don’t win seats, they can draw votes away from larger parties, potentially influencing the outcome.
• They enrich the political discourse. They force established parties to address issues they might otherwise ignore. They challenge conventional wisdom. They keep things interesting.
• They’re a testament to the openness of the German electoral system. The fact that these parties can even exist and get on the ballot is a sign of a healthy democracy.
• They expose the absurdity of our political theatre.
• They highlight real issues.
• And they are interesting.

One of the most interesting aspects is the low barrier of entry to the German political system; it seemingly only takes the energy of five to ten energetic people to create and register your own party and collect enough signatures to participate in an election.

A Taxonomy of the Tiny

Like any good ecosystem, the Kleinparteien world has its niches and specializations:

1. The Ideological Holdouts

These are the parties clinging to once-dominant ideologies that have since faded from the mainstream. Think of them as the political equivalent of horseshoe crabs, remarkably unchanged from a bygone era.

• MLPD (Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany): These folks haven’t gotten the memo that the Cold War ended. Their posters feature that iconic, somewhat stern, hammer-and-sickle aesthetic. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal (however niche) of a very specific brand of Marxist-Leninist thought, even if they only garnered 0.1% (about 28,800 votes) in the 2021 Bundestagswahl.
• DKP (German Communist Party): The slightly more “modern” communists, having split off from the older, more orthodox variety. It’s like the difference between your grandfather’s communism and your slightly-less-grumpy uncle’s communism. In 2021, they received about 11,900 votes.
• SGP (Socialist Equality Party, Fourth International): Trotskyists! Because of course there are Trotskyists. Always worth remembering that the ideological battles of the early 20th century are still being fought, albeit on a vastly smaller scale, as evidenced by their about 1,800 votes in the 2021 federal election.

2. The Niche Specialists

These parties thrive by focusing on a specific, often underserved, area of the political ecosystem. They’re like specialist species adapted to a particular environment

• Tierschutzpartei (Animal Protection Party): Their name says it all. They’re about animal rights, animal welfare, and generally making sure that Fluffy and Fido have a voice in parliament. Their existence raises interesting questions about representation – who gets to speak for whom, and what constitutes a legitimate constituency? It’s secured a respectable 1.5% (about 682,700 votes) in the 2021 Bundestagswahl, and even 1.4% in the 2019 European Parliament election.
• Die Gartenpartei (Garden Party): A rather unique entry, this party focuses on the issues related to Kleingärten - those charming little allotment gardens that are a fixture of German urban life. They tap into concerns about green spaces, local food production, and community building, all centered around the beloved Kleingarten. In the 2019 European Parliament Election: they scored 0.1%.
• Partei der Vernunft (Party of Reason): Advocates for Austrian economics, libertarianism, and direct democracy. They’re the ones handing out pamphlets about the gold standard and the evils of central banking. They received about 8,600 votes in 2021.
• Partei für Gesundheitsforschung (Party for Health Research): The “Immortality” party, who’s main cause is to extend human life (and hopefully make it indefinite). They managed 0.2% (about 95,800 votes) in the 2021 Bundestagswahl.
• Klimaliste (Climate List): As its name suggests, The Klimaliste is dedicated to accelerating climate action. They aim to get scientists and climate activists into the Bundestag. There are multiple regional branches. Their performance varies, with examples like 0.9% in the 2021 Baden-Württemberg state election and 1.0% in the 2021 Berlin state election.

3. The Regionalists

These parties are all about local identity, often with a separatist or autonomist streak. Think of them as the endemic species of specific political biomes.

• Bayernpartei (Bavarian Party): Bavaria, but more so. They want greater autonomy for Bavaria, and sometimes even hint at full independence. They’re the political equivalent of wearing Lederhosen to every possible occasion. While they received 0.1% (about 47,700 votes) nationally in 2021, this represented 0.7% within Bavaria. In the 2023 Bavarian state election, they obtained 0.6%.
• SSW (South Schleswig Voters’ Association): Represents the Danish and Frisian minorities in Schleswig-Holstein. A prime example of how Germany’s electoral system accommodates and even encourages the representation of minority groups. They secured 0.1% (about 55,400 votes) nationally in 2021, enough for a seat due to their minority party status, and a more substantial 5.7% in the 2022 Schleswig-Holstein state election.

4. The Protest Parties

These parties are born from a specific grievance or movement. These parties are like the first plants to colonize bare ground after a volcanic eruption or a retreating glacier. They’re often fast-growing, adaptable, and thrive in environments where established parties struggle. They may be short-lived, paving the way for others, or they might establish themselves more permanently if the conditions are right.

• Die Basis (The Basis): Emerged from the anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine mandate protests. They’re a grab-bag of conspiracy theories, anti-establishment sentiment, and a general distrust of authority. They captured 1.4% (about 644,700 votes) of the vote in the 2021 Bundestagswahl.
• Die PARTEI (The PARTY): Founded by editors of the German satirical magazine Titanic. The party uses satire and irony to offer an alternative way of doing politics. They’ve exploited loopholes in campaign finance laws. They’ve run deliberately absurd campaigns (like promising to rebuild the Berlin Wall, but “lower”). They expose the ways in which established parties manipulate the rules for their own benefit. They force us to ask: what is the line between satire and reality in politics? It has had some success, receiving 1.0% (about 454,500 votes) in the 2021 federal election and 2.4% in the 2019 European election (enough for two seats).

5. The “not that far right” Parties

Conservative parties that don’t want to be mistaken with AfD. Can’t really come up with an analogy here sorry.

• Bündnis Deutschland (Alliance Germany): This party occupies a fascinating space on the right-wing spectrum. They’re not quite AfD-level extreme, but they’re definitely tapping into some of the same anxieties about immigration and national identity. It’s the “I’m not racist, but…” party, trying to walk a very fine line. Formed after the 2021 election, their results include 0.4% in 2023 Hesse State Election, and 0.2% in 2023 Bavarian state election.
• Bündnis C – Christen für Deutschland (Alliance C - Christians for Germany): A party for, well, Christians. But what kind of Christians? They emphasize traditional values, family, and a “Christian-occidental culture”. They’re a reminder that religious identity is still a potent force in German politics, even if it’s often expressed in more subtle ways than in, say, the US. They received about 7,700 votes in the 2021 federal election.

6. The New Wave Parties

These are the young saplings of the political forest, often sporting vibrant colors and a decidedly modern outlook. Maybe like a new species that are still in progress of figuring out if this adaptation will help them to live better in the habitat.

• Volt Deutschland (Volt): Think of them as the pan-European upstarts, buzzing with progressive ideas and a desire for deeper EU integration. They’re like the tech-savvy kids trying to update the operating system of Europe. They obtained 0.4% (about 189,500 votes) nationally in the 2021 Bundestagswahl and 0.7% in 2024 European Elections.
• Partei der Humanisten (PdH - Party of Humanists): These are the rationalists, the science enthusiasts, the ones advocating for secularism and individual freedom. They’re like the lab-coated researchers of the political world, emphasizing evidence-based policy. They received about 33,300 votes in the 2021 election.
• Die Partei des Fortschritts (PdF): Founded in Cologne in 2020, these folks are the pragmatic idealists, grounding their political vision in the democratic principles of the German Basic Law (sorry, got it from wiki directly). Sounds reasonable though
• Die Urbane. Eine HipHop Partei (du.): (The Urban. A HipHop Party): Focuses on urban issues, social justice, and cultural diversity, using hip-hop culture as a vehicle for political expression. In 2021, they gained about 14,900 Votes nationally and 0.5% in the Berlin state election.

Ultimately, the Kleinparteien remind us that democracy is a messy, complex, and often contradictory undertaking. It’s a constant negotiation between competing values, ideologies, and interests. And sometimes, the most interesting insights come from the margins, from the tiny, overlooked corners of the political ecosystem. So, embrace the weirdness. Revel in the diversity. And remember, the next time you see a ballot that looks like an exam test sheet, you’re not just looking at a list of names – you’re looking at a snapshot of a living, breathing, and constantly evolving political landscape.