Politics · Germany · 1 hr ago
Hubertus Heil challenges Lars Klingbeil for SPD leadership
Former German labour minister Hubertus Heil is running for SPD co-chair at the party conference in Bremen in January.
The centre-left Social Democratic Party, known as the SPD, plans to elect its entire leadership after co-chair Bärbel Bas resigned in October.
Heil says the party needs to be more visible and develop clear plans and new ideas.
His bid challenges Lars Klingbeil, who is both SPD co-chair and Germany’s vice-chancellor and finance minister.
Heil argues that leading the party demands full attention, echoing calls within the SPD to separate the party leadership from ministerial jobs.
He has not named a woman to serve alongside him, and the party’s rules require a woman co-chair.
Klingbeil has not said whether he will run again, so the leadership contest remains open.
Hubertus Heil has announced that he will run for SPD party chair at the party conference in Bremen in January.
His candidacy challenges Lars Klingbeil, who is both SPD chair and Germany’s vice-chancellor and finance minister.
Klingbeil has not said whether he will seek another term.
Heil says the SPD needs greater visibility, clear policies and new ideas.
The party plans to elect its entire leadership after co-chair Bärbel Bas resigned in October.
- Who
- Hubertus Heil is running for SPD chair, challenging incumbent Lars Klingbeil.
- What
- Heil announced his candidacy for the party leadership.
- When
- He announced it on 14 November 2026; the election is planned for January.
- Where
- The party conference is planned for Bremen.
- Why
- Heil says the SPD needs greater visibility, clear policies and new ideas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SPD co-chair Bärbel Bas resigned as party chair and labour minister.
Hubertus Heil announced he would run for SPD chair.
The SPD plans to elect its full leadership at a party conference in Bremen.
- Candidate
- Hubertus Heil
- Rival
- Lars Klingbeil
- Party conference
- January, Bremen
- Heil’s age
- 54
- Klingbeil’s roles
- SPD chair, vice-chancellor and finance minister
- Bas’s resignation
- October 2026
9 sources
Nach Kandidatur von Heil: Zwei Spitzengenossen wollen Klingbeil als SPD-Chef halten
Bewerbung des Ex-Arbeitsministers - Angriff auf Klingbeil! Heil will SPD-Chef werden
SPD-Vorsitz: Der Parteisoldat strebt an die Macht – Hubertus Heil will SPD-Chef werden
Hubertus Heil bewirbt sich auf SPD-Parteivorsitz
What people are saying
We will only become stronger as the SPD again if we are more visible as a party. And if we have clear concepts and new ideas.
Standing at the head of a people’s party requires great commitment and full attention in these times.
Lars Klingbeil is doing very well.
I still consider Lars Klingbeil a good party chairman.