Regierungsfindung mit Basisbeteiligung: Die Koalitionsentscheidung der SPD Berlin als Anwendungsfall innerparteilicher Demokratie

Given that intra-party decision-making prior to government formation is a largely under-studied topic, the article thoroughly investigates the case of Berlin’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) joining a grand coalition after the 2023 extraordinary state level election. In doing so, it also follows the call to study the varying details of how membership ballots are conducted. The empirical analysis draws on participant observations and guided interviews with party elites who both approved and disapproved the finally realized government coalition. Our study also aims at encouraging a broader debate on coalition building and intra-party democracy which would greatly benefit from comparative research.