Society & rights

Self-Determination Act repeal: where do Germany’s seven parties stand?

The statement in the quiz

The 2024 Self-Determination Act (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz), which lets adults change their registered gender by making a declaration at the registry office, should be repealed.

Background

The law took effect in November 2024. It replaced a 1980 law that required two expert reports and a court decision.

Sources for the background: Bundestag: Debate on a motion to repeal the Self-Determination Act (11 September 2025)

At a glance

CDU/CSUFor
AfDFor
SPDAgainst
GreensAgainst
Die LinkeAgainst
BSWFor
FDPNot in manifesto

ForLeaning forNeutral / mixedLeaning againstAgainstNot in manifesto

Party by party

CDU/CSU Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU)

For

Wants to abolish the law.

From the manifesto „Wir schaffen das Selbstbestimmungsgesetz der Ampel wieder ab.“

Source: CDU/CSU manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 9

AfD Alternative for Germany

For

Wants the law withdrawn in full.

From the manifesto „Das Selbstbestimmungsgesetz, welches am 01. November 2024 das Transsexuellengesetz von 1980 abgelöst hat, ist vollumfänglich zurückzunehmen.“

Source: AfD manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 152

SPD Social Democratic Party

Against

Backs the law and says there will be no going back.

From the manifesto „Die SPD steht hinter dem Selbstbestimmungsgesetz und den bisherigen queerpolitischen Errungenschaften.“

Source: SPD manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 49

Greens Alliance 90/The Greens

Against

Wants to protect the law from attacks.

From the manifesto „Bereits erkämpfte Rechte wie das Selbstbestimmungsgesetz schützen wir vor Angriffen“

Source: Greens manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 121

Die Linke The Left (Die Linke)

Against

Thinks the law falls short and wants it improved; opposes repealing it.

From the manifesto „Das Selbstbestimmungsgesetz (SBGG) ist in seiner jetzigen Form mangelhaft und muss verbessert werden.“

Source: Die Linke manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 47

BSW BSW (Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance)

For

Explicitly rejects the law, arguing that it weakens the protection of women.

From the manifesto „Wir lehnen dieses Gesetz ausdrücklich ab.“

Source: BSW manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 34

FDP Free Democratic Party

Not in manifesto

The manifesto does not name the law; it only promises to fight discrimination against LGBTI people.

From the manifesto „Wir bekämpfen Diskriminierung gegenüber LSBTI“

Source: FDP manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 25

Since the election: The law was proposed jointly by the FDP-led Justice Ministry and the Green-led Family Ministry and passed the Bundestag in April 2024.

Positions are coded on five steps: for, leaning for, neutral or mixed, leaning against, against. A party whose manifesto says nothing on the statement is marked “not in manifesto”, and the quiz leaves the statement out of that party’s score. The coding method and its checks are on the method page.

Where do you stand on this one?

This is one of the statements in the German Party Spectrum Quiz. The whole quiz takes about five minutes and shows how your views split across the seven parties, plus your place on an economic and social map. No sign-up, and we never ask who you are.

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