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Liberty, Equality, Fraternity – the SPD turns 150

May 2, 2013

On 23 May 2013, Germany’s Social Democratic Party, the SPD, celebrates its 150th birthday. This documentary film paints a complex picture of this old and proud party.

https://p.dw.com/p/18GHE
ARCHIV - Am 7. Dezember 1970 kniet Bundeskanzler Willy Brandt vor dem Ehrenmal in Warschau, das den Helden des Ghetto-Aufstands von 1943 gewidmet ist, nieder. Willy Brandt war Bundeskanzler der Bundesrepublik von 1969 bis 1974 und begann durch den Dialog mit Moskau, Warschau und die «Ostverträge» einen «Wandel durch Annäherung». Sein «Kniefall von Warschau» (1970) wurde als Verneigung vor den Opfern des Krieges gewertet. Foto: dpa (zu dpa-Themenpaket: "60 Jahre Bundesrepublik Deutschland" vom 17.12.2008 - nur s/w) +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++
70 Jahre Aufstand im Warschauer Ghetto Kniefall Willy BrandtImage: picture-alliance/dpa


“For the past 150 years, we have been the party that people could always rely on because our policies are based on values ​​that are inviolable. It was and still is about freedom and democracy, solidarity and social cohesion," says the SPD’s chancellor candidate, Peer Steinbrück.

In May 2013, the SPD celebrates its 150th birthday. This is also the year when the party is aiming to get back into government again. By referring to to their historical successes, the Social Democrats and their chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück are hoping to add a bit of gloss to their election campaign. But things are not looking good for them right now and much of what they once won is today under threat.

Otto Wels: Speaking on 23. March 1933 against Hitler’s Enabling Act.
Otto Wels: Speaking on 23. March 1933 against Hitler’s Enabling Act.


No other party has made such a mark on the welfare state and democracy in Germany as the SPD. It is thanks to the Social Democrats that Germany has been able to develop into a modern democracy, even though throughout its long history the party was often banned and its members persecuted and, in postwar Germany, it has spent most of its time on the opposition benches. No other party has such established rituals and traditions, nor such difficulty in entering into political alliances. Factionalism is a constantly recurring feature of the Social Democrats’ history.

Peer Steinbrück, the SPD’s chancellor candidate in 2013.
Peer Steinbrück, the SPD’s chancellor candidate in 2013.

This DW documentary shows the challenges the SPD has faced in its history and the successes it can claim. Erhard Eppler, Egon Bahr, Gerhard Schröder, Hans-Jochen Vogel, Franz Muentefering, Renate Schmidt and Markus Meckel all talk about the party’s struggles and internal disputes. We also hear from 99-year-old factory worker Anna Störtz, who can still remember the Weimar Republic; Inge Deutschkron, whose parents were Jewish Social Democrats; the trade unionists who have stayed in the SPD because it needs an internal opposition; and the young scientists who have benefited from the SPD’s promise to let them get ahead and who now want to give something back. Expert Franz Walter provides an intelligent and incisive analysis of the reasons why the SPD has had trouble with power so often in its history.
In 2013, the SPD has to decide whom it wants to represent. It started off as a workers’ party, then became a party of the people – so what comes next?
A report by Bettina Stehkämper.

Anna Störtz, SPD member for 83 years.
Anna Störtz, SPD member for 83 years.



Broadcasting Hours:

DW


THU 16.05.2013 – 22:15 UTC
FRI 17.05.2013 – 06:15 UTC
FRI 17.05.2013 – 13:15 UTC
FRI 17.05.2013 – 17:15 UTC
SAT 18.05.2013 – 04:15 UTC
SAT 18.05.2013 – 10:15 UTC

Cape Town UTC +2 | Delhi UTC +5,5 | Hong Kong UTC +8
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4

DW (Europe)

FRI 17.05.2013 – 04:15 UTC
FRI 17.05.2013 – 17:15 UTC
SAT 18.05.2013 – 06:15 UTC
SAT 18.05.2013 – 13:15 UTC

London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +4

DW (Arabia)

FRI 17.05.2013 – 13:15 UTC
SAT 18.05.2013 – 04:15 UTC
SAT 18.05.2013 – 11:15 UTC

Tunis UTC +1 | Cairo UTC + 2 | Dubai UTC +4

DW (Asien)

THU 16.05.2013 – 22:15 UTC

Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8

DW (Amerika)

FRI 17.05.2013 – 06:15 UTC

Vancouver UTC -7 | New York UTC -4 | Sao Paulo UTC -3