In the 1960s, SPD mayoral candidates received almost 80 percent of the vote in Munich. In 2026, their mayor only got around 35 percent and then even lost a runoff election against a Green. The Green Party politician Dominik Krause won in a city that has been ruled by the SPD almost continuously since the end of the Second World War.

Election in Munich: SPD is “politically empty,” says Ude

As Ude explains to the “SZ”, the SPD had been warned for years. In Bavaria, the SPD fell from second place to fifth place, behind the AfD. “That was simply ignored,” says Ude. There was no attempt to win back voters. In his opinion, the SPD had neither contact with nor understanding of its own electorate.

The SPD has changed – and to its disadvantage, says Ude to the “SZ”. “Members’ petition against the coalition decision on the topic Basic security instead of citizens’ money. That was at the start of the local election year! Every SPD supporter is grabbing his head.”

The SPD did not mobilize its own voters. Ude believes that the “SPD, including in Munich, has become a politically emptied party.” At the beginning of his election campaigns, he went to large companies and spoke to works councils. “The traditional electorate always came first. That has been completely abolished,” says Ude.

Uder calls for a return to social issues

He calls on the SPD to “exist” again. “It has to provide proof of life that it really still exists.” According to Ude, the mood in the party needs to be changed: away from indifference and towards debates about the social issue.

Lost voters must be addressed and included again. In his opinion, the SPD must convey appreciation and make it clear to people “that they are not just illiterate people who cannot gender properly.”

Munich’s incumbent mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) is on sick leave “until further notice” after his surprisingly clear election defeat. As a city spokesman announced, Krause, Reiter’s designated successor, has taken over the official duties.

Krause, who was previously second mayor and won the runoff election with 56.4 percent to 43.6 percent, will not officially take up the office of Munich mayor until May 1st – until then Reiter would actually still be mayor. Krause’s official inauguration is scheduled for May 11, according to the city.