gemäßigten

Gemäßigten is a German term used to describe moderates, referring to people or groups who advocate moderation in politics, policy, or public discourse. The base adjective gemäßigt means moderate or moderate in degree; when used as a noun, die gemäßigten (often written capitalized) denotes the moderates as a group or faction. The term is generally neutral and is used to distinguish moderation from more extreme positions, such as links- oder rechtsradikale stances.

In political analysis, die gemäßigten are understood as centrists or pragmatists who favor gradual reform, coalition-building, and pragmatic policymaking. They may operate within a party or as a distinct faction, seeking broad public support and stability rather than rapid, revolutionary change. Their positions can span across the political spectrum depending on national context: center-left moderates may emphasize social welfare with fiscal restraint, while center-right moderates may stress market-oriented policies and gradual liberalization.

The concept is common in German-speaking countries and in discussions of multiparty systems, where moderates can serve as a bridging force between more ideologically driven wings. The term is used descriptively in media and scholarship and does not prescribe a fixed policy platform; rather, it denotes a pragmatic approach within a broader political landscape.

See also: Moderation, Centrist politics, Coalition government.