The SPD is one of the major political parties in Berlin and is positioned on the center-left. The abbreviation stands for “Social Democratic Party of Germany.”
It is particularly committed to social issues such as affordable housing, good working conditions, and education. In Berlin, several thousand members are active in district branches, local associations, and working groups. As of December last year, the Berlin SPD had 17,673 members.
It is currently in coalition with the CDU. Key figures for the 2026 House of Representatives election include Steffen Krach and Bettina König. Steffen Krach is running as the lead candidate for the office of Governing Mayor of Berlin. Bettina König is expected to co-lead the Berlin SPD together with him.
Other well-known SPD politicians in Berlin include Franziska Giffey, currently serving as Senator for Economic Affairs, and Raed Saleh, parliamentary group leader of the SPD in the Berlin House of Representatives. The Senate also includes Cansel Kiziltepe (Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination), Iris Spranger (Senator for the Interior and Sport), Christian Gaebler (Senator for Urban Development, Building and Housing), and Ina Czyborra (Senator for Science, Health and Care).
