bavarikon4UElection Poster of the SPD, late 1918/early 1919
The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), from 1917 often called Majority Social Democrats (MSPD) to distinguish it from the split-off Independent Social Democrats (USPD), had continuously been able to expand its position since its first entry into the Bavarian State Parliament in 1893. In addition, during the World War its reputation in Bavaria had grown. Therefore, the party and its Bavarian chairman Erhard Auer (1874-1945) could hope to improve their results of 1912 in the upcoming state elections. Consequently, after the revolution of 7/8 November 1918, the MSPD was also in favour of an early election date, which was finally set for 12 January 1919.
In the election campaign, the MSPD was able to count on the broad support from workers and trade unions. It styled itself the party of continuity, peace and "organic" change. On its election posters it set out to address its clientele and to set itself apart from the Bavarian People's Party (BVP) and from the political Catholicism it represented. In the end, it referred to its role in the November Revolution and as a guarantor for the moderate future development of the new state.
The MSPD was one of the winners in the state elections. It improved its results by over 13% and thus gained 33% of the votes. With 61 seats, it became the second strongest force after the BVP in the new State Parliament. Since the BVP did not signal ambitions for a government takeover, the MSPD prepared to form a new government without the Independent Social Democrats (USPD) under Kurt Eisner (1867-1919).