The Federal Returning Officer has approved 35 parties for the upcoming European elections in Germany, including new formations such as the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht and the Dava Party, which has ties to the Turkish government. The Democratic Alliance for Diversity and Renewal (Dava) has been criticized for its alleged support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s authoritarian and nationalist policies. Despite these criticisms, the party denies any affiliation with the AKP and maintains its independence.
Additionally, two parties advocating for climate action, the “Last Generation” party and the “Climate List,” have been granted approval. However, other groups like the “Planetary Democrats” and “Future Mega” were rejected by the Federal Election Committee, chaired by Ruth Brand. A total of 59 applications were reviewed, with 40 seeking national participation and 19 for specific states. The majority of state applications were from the CSU in Bavaria and the CDU in the remaining states.
Unlike the federal elections, the European elections in Germany do not include a five percent threshold to secure representation in the EU Parliament. Less than one percent of the overall vote is sufficient to gain a seat. In the 2019 elections, seven parties outside of the Bundestag received at least one mandate, including the Piraten, Tierschutzpartei, and Die Partei. Only the Freien Wähler managed to secure two mandates. All of these parties have been reapproved for the upcoming European elections.
The decision to allow these parties to participate reflects the diversity of political voices in Germany and ensures that a range of viewpoints are represented in the EU Parliament. Although the approval of the Dava party has sparked controversy due to its alleged connections to the Turkish government, the Federal Returning Officer maintains that all parties have met the necessary criteria for inclusion on the ballot. With a total of 35 parties approved for the European elections, voters will have a wide array of options to choose from when casting their ballots in June.
As the election date approaches, each party will campaign to attract voters and present their platform on key issues facing both Germany and the European Union. With the absence of a five percent threshold, smaller parties have a greater chance of gaining representation in the EU Parliament, which could lead to a more diverse and dynamic political landscape. The inclusion of climate-focused parties like the “Climate List” demonstrates a growing concern for environmental issues among German voters, highlighting the importance of sustainability and climate action in the political discourse. Overall, the approval of 35 parties for the European elections signals a vibrant and inclusive democratic process in Germany.
