Games and Film Included in Some Party Election Programs

With the Bundestag elections approaching in February, political parties are drafting their election programs under considerable time pressure. The SPD already finalized their draft, which is not public at the moment. The Grünen (Greens) and CDU/CSU have already included film and games in their draft programs, some of which are still awaiting approval.

There is no question that the upcoming Bundestag election in February will also reshuffle priorities regarding film and games funding. Although the hastily compiled election manifestos provide only an initial indication of what these industries can expect, they still offer valuable insights—even if some drafts require final approval from party members.

In the draft election program of the Green Party, the Party of Chancellor candidate Robert Habeck positions itself as a supporter of film and games. “We will complete the reform of film funding that has already begun by providing reliable, fast, and adequate financing through an investment obligation and a tax incentive. We will also strengthen Germany as a games location with tax incentives for games,” the draft states.

The Greens do not plan to formally adopt their election program until January 26. While changes remain possible, a significant shift in direction is considered unlikely.

The CDU and CSU have already finalized and adopted their election program for 2025. Unlike the SPD or the Greens, the program was approved directly by the party executive committee. In terms of content, the CDU’s stance on film and games funding is more general but still notably positive. Under the heading “Strengthening the creative industries,” it states: “We place particular emphasis on supporting the music industry as well as cinema, film, and games funding.”

The SPD has also completed a draft of its 2025 election program, though it has not yet been published. A final decision is expected on January 11, when the SPD plans to officially adopt its program.

The FDP, meanwhile, is still working on its program during the current presidium meetings, with a draft expected today or tomorrow and the final approval expected in February. It remains unclear when other parties, such as the AfD, the Left Party, and the BSW, will present their draft programs. However, their final decisions are not expected before January.

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