Bergkamen: the SPD stronghold in Germany's coal country
In Bergkamen, the Social Democrats enjoy the kind of old-school party loyalty that in most places has gone the way of the coal mines.
A former coal capital
Coal was once king in this part of Germany, and employed some 12,000 people in the small town of Bergkamen. In 1946, the town's Grimberg mineshift was the site of the greatest mining disaster in the country's history - 405 miners were killed.
The man with a mission
Despite Bergkamen's high unemployment rate relative to the rest of Germany, SPD Mayor Roland Schäfer has big plans to turn his town around. Here at the canal marina, construction is already underway for a large complex of luxury homes and businesses.
Remembering the good old days
The members of Bergkamen's Coal Mining History Club meet every Wednesday here at the town's mining museum. Most agreed that they will vote SPD in September's general election, because they stick by those who have stuck by them.
An homage to the past
Bergkamen's mining museum chronicles the industry's rise and fall in the town. The mines began closing in 1993, and the town turned to the chemical industry. Today Bayer pharmaceuticals is one of the biggest employers.
Generation red
Gamze Cavlakli is a student who is active in the SPD's youth organization, Jusos. She told DW that although the SPD may have lost its soul ruling in coaltion with Merkel's CDU, it's level of engagement in Bergkamen still makes it the best fit for this small town.
A greener future
Allotment garden owners Klaus and Anja Petrat admit that they feel let down by politicians in Berlin. "All politicians make promises they don't keep," Anja said.
All quiet in downtown Bergkamen
Like SPD support around the country, Bergkamen has seen better days. There's not much downtown to speak of in Bergkamen - just a small pedestrian square with many shuttered shops and little foot traffic.