Backnang – Schwäbisch Gmünd is an electoral constituency (German: Wahlkreis) represented in the Bundestag if it elects one member via first-past-the-post voting, which is not automatic anymore since 2023. Under the current constituency numbering system, it is designated as constituency 269. It is located in northeastern Baden-Württemberg, comprising the western part of the Ostalbkreis district and the northern part of the Rems-Murr-Kreis district.
Backnang – Schwäbisch Gmünd was created for the 1965 federal election. Since 2021, it has been represented by Ingeborg Gräßle of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). In addition, 5th place Ricarda Lang was elected via her high rank on the state-wide party list of Alliance 90/The Greens, and in 2025, also Ruben Rupp (AfD).
Geography Backnang – Schwäbisch Gmünd is located in northeastern Baden-Württemberg. As of the 2021 federal election, it comprises the municipalities of Abtsgmünd, Bartholomä, Böbingen an der Rems, Durlangen, Eschach, Göggingen, Gschwend, Heubach, Heuchlingen, Iggingen, Leinzell, Lorch, Mögglingen, Mutlangen, Obergröningen, Ruppertshofen, Schechingen, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Spraitbach, Täferrot, and Waldstetten from the Ostalbkreis district and the municipalities of Allmersbach im Tal, Althütte, Aspach, Auenwald, Backnang, Burgstetten, Großerlach, Kirchberg an der Murr, Murrhardt, Oppenweiler, Spiegelberg, Sulzbach an der Murr, and Weissach im Tal from the Rems-Murr-Kreis district.
History Backnang – Schwäbisch Gmünd was created in 1965, then known as Schwäbisch Gmünd – Backnang. It acquired its current name in the 1980 election. In the 1965 through 1976 elections, it was constituency 175 in the numbering system. In the 1980 through 1998 elections, it was number 173. In the 2002 and 2005 elections, it was number 270. Since the 2009 election, it has been number 269.
Originally, the constituency comprised the districts of Schwäbisch Gmünd, Backnang, and parts of Schwäbisch Hall. It acquired its current borders in the 1980 election.
Election Name Borders 1965 175 Schwäbisch Gmünd – Backnang Schwäbisch Gmünd district Backnang district Schwäbisch Hall district 1969 1972 1976 1980 173 Backnang – Schwäbisch Gmünd Ostalbkreis district (only Abtsgmünd, Bartholomä, Böbingen an der Rems, Durlangen, Eschach, Göggingen, Gschwend, Heubach, Heuchlingen, Iggingen, Leinzell, Lorch, Mögglingen, Mutlangen, Obergröningen, Ruppertshofen, Schechingen, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Spraitbach, Täferrot, and Waldstetten municipalities) Rems-Murr-Kreis district (only Allmersbach im Tal, Althütte, Aspach, Auenwald, Backnang, Burgstetten, Großerlach, Kirchberg an der Murr, Murrhardt, Oppenweiler, Spiegelberg, Sulzbach an der Murr, and Weissach im Tal municipalities) 1983 1987 1990 1994 1998 2002 270 2005 2009 269 2013 2017 2021 2025
Members The constituency has been held continuously by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since its creation. It was first represented by Eugen Gerstenmaier from 1965 to 1969, followed by Dieter Schulte from 1969 to 1998, a total of eight consecutive terms. Norbert Barthle was representative from 1998 to 2021. He was succeeded by Ingeborg Gräßle in 2021 and 2025.
Other members of parliament, elected via party list: (SPD, 1980-1994), Christian Lange (SPD, 1998-2021), Ricarda Lang (Greens, 2021, 2025) and Ruben Rupp (AfD, 2025).
Election Member Party % 1965 Eugen Gerstenmaier CDU 50.1 1969 CDU 48.6 1972 51.7 1976 55.7 1980 54.0 1983 59.2 1987 53.8 1990 50.4 1994 49.6 1998 Norbert Barthle CDU 41.8 2002 47.7 2005 48.8 2009 44.7 2013 55.4 2017 41.2 2021 Ingeborg Gräßle CDU 30.5 2025 36.6
Election results 2025 election
2021 election
2017 election
2013 election
2009 election
2005 election
References