Germany's oldest party, the center-left SPD, is in a difficult position following its success in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state election

Following state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin , two of Germany's 16 federal states, the mood within the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) is oscillating between relief and frustration, confidence and bewilderment. "The SPD is clearly capable of winning more than 30% of the vote," party co-leader Lars Klingbeil said jubilantly in Berlin. "This result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is an encouragement for the entire Social Democratic movement.