- Groups Showcasing Diversified Member Tiers
The Hesse SPD experienced a drop in membership numbers during the first half of 2024. According to data from the German Press Agency, as of June 30, the party had 40,414 members on its books, a decrease of 1,475 members compared to the same period in 2023. This represents a 3.5% decrease in membership. The SPD districts of Hesse South and Hesse North saw declines of around 4% and 2.6% respectively. The party spokesperson expressed regret over each member withdrawal, particularly at a time when democratic values are under pressure. The SPD aims to boost member recruitment, having already noted a decrease in membership at the end of 2023.
On the upswing, the AfD Hesse saw a significant increase in membership. As of June 30, 2024, the party had 3,345 members, a rise of 1,131 members compared to the previous year. Co-state spokesman Andreas Lichert attributed this growth to the party's "elaborate, multi-stage admission process." The Greens in Hesse also saw a bump in membership, growing to 10,358 members as of the same date, a 6.9% increase from the previous year. The party chairwoman Kathrin Anders highlighted the Greens' status as a continuously growing organization.
The Free Democrats in Hesse experienced a decrease in membership, with a total of 6,858 members by the end of June 2024, a decrease of nearly 6.4% compared to the previous year. General Secretary Moritz Promny acknowledged the drop but remained optimistic about the party's support among young people.
Data difficulties hinder CDU Hesse
Technical issues with data access prevented the CDU Hesse from providing current membership figures. Spokesman Tobias Bayer referred to the cyberattack on the party during the European election campaign in June of this year. As of late November 2023, the Hesse Christian Democrats had 32,955 members, a decrease of 546 members compared to the beginning of the year 2023.
The SPD's strategy to address the membership decline includes focusing on boosting recruitment, acknowledging the importance of each member during times of democratic value pressure. In contrast, regional policy is crucial for parties like the AfD Hesse, as their elaborate admission process contributes to a significant increase in membership.
