Politics · Germany · 1 day ago
Klingbeil leaves open whether he will seek another term as SPD leader
Lars Klingbeil has not decided whether to seek another term as leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party, the SPD.
The party plans to elect its national leadership at a conference in January.
Co-leader Bärbel Bas stepped down in October, leaving the party to choose its leadership anew.
Klingbeil, who is also Germany’s finance minister and vice-chancellor, said he welcomes criticism and wants the party to be in its strongest position.
He said the SPD needs strong leadership during difficult economic, budget and foreign-policy conditions and called for party unity behind whoever is chosen.
The decision is being discussed within the party, and Klingbeil has not said when he will announce his choice.
Former labour minister Hubertus Heil has not ruled out running, while Manuela Schwesig is also seen as a possible candidate for the leadership team.
Lars Klingbeil has not said whether he will seek another term as co-chair of Germany’s Social Democratic Party in January.
The party’s federal leadership is due to be elected at a party conference in mid-January.
Klingbeil said he was happy to be party leader but did not cling to his position.
He said the decision was being discussed internally and was not his alone to make.
Bärbel Bas resigned as co-chair in October, while former labour minister Hubertus Heil has not ruled out running.
- Who
- Lars Klingbeil, SPD co-chair and finance minister.
- What
- He has left open whether he will run for another term as party leader.
- When
- The party leadership election is planned for January.
- Where
- Klingbeil spoke at a Ruhr SPD members’ convention in Bochum.
- Why
- The decision is under internal discussion; Klingbeil said the party needs the best possible leadership amid difficult economic, budgetary and foreign-policy conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bärbel Bas resigned as federal labour minister and SPD co-chair.
Klingbeil left open whether he would seek another term at a Ruhr SPD members’ convention in Bochum.
The SPD is due to elect its federal leadership at a party conference.
- Next leadership election
- January
- Location of convention
- Bochum
- Resigned co-chair
- Bärbel Bas
- Potential leadership candidate
- Hubertus Heil has not ruled out a run
2 sources
What people are saying
I do not cling to my position.
Whoever is elected to the top needs the solidarity of the whole party.
I am very happy to be party chairman.