Darmstadt is an electoral constituency (German: Wahlkreis) represented in the Bundestag. It elects one member via first-past-the-post voting. Under the current constituency numbering system, it is designated as constituency 185. It is located in southern Hesse, comprising the city of Darmstadt and surrounding parts of the Darmstadt-Dieburg district.
Darmstadt was created for the inaugural 1949 federal election. From 2021 to 2025, it was represented by Andreas Larem of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Geography Darmstadt is located in southern Hesse. As of the 2021 federal election, it comprises the independent city of Darmstadt and the municipalities of Alsbach-Hähnlein, Bickenbach, Eppertshausen, Erzhausen, Griesheim, Messel, Modautal, Mühltal, Münster (Hessen), Ober-Ramstadt, Pfungstadt, Roßdorf, Seeheim-Jugenheim, and Weiterstadt from the Darmstadt-Dieburg district.
History Darmstadt was created in 1949. In the 1949 election, it was Hesse constituency 20 in the numbering system. From 1953 through 1976, it was number 145. From 1980 through 1998, it was number 143. In the 2002 and 2005 elections, it was number 187. In the 2009 through 2021 elections, it was number 186. From the 2025 election, it has been number 185.
Originally, the constituency comprised the independent city of Darmstadt and the Landkreis Darmstadt district. In the 1976 through 1998 elections, it acquired a configuration very similar to its current borders, but excluding the municipalities of Eppertshausen and Münster (Hessen) from the Darmstadt-Dieburg district. It acquired its current borders in the 2002 election.
Election Name Borders 1949 Darmstadt Darmstadt city Landkreis Darmstadt district 1953 145 1957 1961 1965 1969 1972 1976 Darmstadt city Darmstadt-Dieburg district (only Alsbach-Hähnlein, Bickenbach, Erzhausen, Griesheim, Messel, Modautal, Mühltal, Ober-Ramstadt, Pfungstadt, Roßdorf, Seeheim-Jugenheim, and Weiterstadt municipalities) 1980 143 1983 1987 1990 1994 1998 2002 187 Darmstadt city Darmstadt-Dieburg district (only Alsbach-Hähnlein, Bickenbach, Eppertshausen, Erzhausen, Griesheim, Messel, Modautal, Mühltal, Münster (Hessen), Ober-Ramstadt, Pfungstadt, Roßdorf, Seeheim-Jugenheim, and Weiterstadt municipalities) 2005 2009 186 2013 2017 2021 2025 185
Members The constituency has been held by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) during all but three Bundestag terms since its creation. It was first represented by Richard Hammer of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) from 1949 to 1953. Ludwig Metzger of the SPD was elected in 1953 and served until 1969. He was succeeded by Günther Metzger from 1969 to 1976, followed by Reinhold Staudt for one term. Helga Timm then represented it from 1980 to 1990. Eike Ebert served a single term from 1990 to 1994. Andreas Storm of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won it in 1994 and served until 1998, when Walter Hoffmann regained it for the SPD. Brigitte Zypries was representative from 2005 to 2017. Astrid Mannes of the CDU was elected in 2017. Andreas Larem of the SPD was elected in 2021.
Election Member Party % 1949 Richard Hammer FDP 36.8 1953 Ludwig Metzger SPD 42.5 1957 43.0 1961 44.6 1965 48.4 1969 Günther Metzger SPD 54.2 1972 56.4 1976 Reinhold Staudt SPD 48.4 1980 Helga Timm SPD 49.2 1983 46.1 1987 42.7 1990 Eike Ebert SPD 39.3 1994 Andreas Storm CDU 40.5 1998 Walter Hoffmann SPD 46.7 2002 48.4 2005 Brigitte Zypries SPD 44.8 2009 35.0 2013 37.3 2017 Astrid Mannes CDU 30.7 2021 Andreas Larem SPD 27.4 2025Vacant
Election results
2025 election
2021 election
2017 election
2013 election
2009 election
2005 election
Notes
References