Schröder SPD-Greens Red-Green government (broad)

Doctrine — stated goals and content

Economic school: modernising social democracy — early Keynesian Lafontaine phase (October 1998 - March 1999) displaced by Eichel- Schröder supply-side turn delivering tax reform, Agenda 2010 and Hartz reforms. Left-right axis: centre-left, with market-oriented content. Dated policies: nuclear phase-out agreement ("Atomkonsens") June 2000 / Atomgesetz amendment 2002; Renten-Riester pension reform 2001 introducing funded second-pillar incentives; Zuwanderungsgesetz (Immigration Act) 30 July 2004 first federal points-light framework; Lebenspartnerschaftsgesetz civil partnerships 2001; refusal to participate in Iraq invasion 2002-2003 ("German way"); Agenda 2010 speech 14 March 2003 launching Hartz I-IV labour reforms (Hartz I-II 2003, III 2004, IV January 2005); corporate tax rate cut from ~52% combined to ~39% combined (Steuerreform 2000); top personal rate 53% → 42% in tranches to 2005; EEG renewable-energy feed-in law 2000 introducing technology-specific tariffs; Grundsicherung pensioner safety-net 2003. Popularity: 1998 SPD 40.9% / landslide end of Kohl era; 2002 narrow re-election after Elbe-flood response and Iraq refusal (SPD 38.5%, Union 38.5%, SPD formed coalition); approval collapsed 2003-2005 under Hartz IV backlash. Coherence: moderate to high — deliberate reforming-social-democracy package, though internal SPD rupture birthed WASG/Linke split 2004-2005.