German SPD pushes for lower election threshold and queer protections

In late July 2026, Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) is pushing for a constitutional amendment to protect queer people and for lowering the electoral threshold in Saxony-Anhalt from 5% to 3%. The party's top candidate in the state, Brosius-Gersdorf, wants to discuss the change, arguing it could prevent the AfD from winning an outright majority. Former Constitutional Court President Papier supports the 3% idea, while the SPD in Saxony-Anhalt opposes the current 5% hurdle.

Separately, former SPD politician Thilo Sarrazin, in an interview, sharply criticized the AfD, saying 'all shame is gone' regarding the party. The AfD, meanwhile, is trying to portray itself as a party of security after an attack on a CSD (Christopher Street Day) parade, which the SPD sees as cynical exploitation.