Both State elections in Baden-Württemberg the SPD experienced a historic crash on Sunday. While the Greens triumphed, followed by the CDU and AfD, this result marks the lowest point in SPD history in a German state election.

The party leadership is visibly affected. The image by photographer Tobias Schwarz captures this moment: Bärbel Bas and Lars Klingbeil present the visibly shaken top candidate Andreas Stoch with a red and white bouquet of flowers. With their heads bowed and a smile forced with effort, all three look at the flowers as if they were not standing in front of a stage but at a grave.

Political Analysis: Why the Social Democrats Failed

The resignation was already deep before election day. Juso chairman Daniel Krusic told the “taz” in advance: “We’ll all be happy when this is over on Sunday. It’s depressing.” The surveys that had already predicted historic lows were undercut by reality: from 33.3 percent at the beginning of the 2000s, the SPD has shrunk to a sixth of its former strength.

Andreas Stoch draws conclusions

State party and parliamentary group leader Andreas Stoch is now drawing the line and announced his resignation to the dpa. Although he “worked like a horse,” as he told the “taz,” it wasn’t enough for success. SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil spoke on ZDF of a “totally bitter evening”.

Despite the defeat and the pessimistic voices from his own youth, Klingbeil remained combative. The SPD will reposition itself in Baden-Württemberg and continue to fight throughout Germany. With a view to the upcoming election in Rhineland-Palatinate, he was confident: “The people will give Alexander Schweitzer a strong vote.”