Politics · Germany · 10 hrs ago
Germany’s Social Democrats to elect full leadership after co-chair resigns
Germany’s Social Democrats, known as the SPD, will elect their full leadership at a party congress in December or January.
The decision follows the resignation of Baerbel Bas, who was both a party co-chair and Germany’s labour minister.
Bas said she needed time to mourn her stepdaughter and could no longer fully carry out her duties.
Co-leader Lars Klingbeil said the party would keep its two-chair leadership structure, but he has not said whether he will seek another term.
The contest comes after the SPD lost support in recent state elections and will test Klingbeil’s authority.
The party is a junior partner in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government.
Its leadership board backed Klingbeil’s proposal to replace Bas as minister with former state premier Alexander Schweitzer, while the SPD women’s organisation objected to choosing a man for the post.
Germany’s Social Democrats will elect their entire leadership at a party congress around the turn of the year after co-chair Baerbel Bas resigned.
Co-leader Lars Klingbeil said the congress would take place in December or January.
The SPD will retain its dual-chair model, but Klingbeil did not say whether he would seek re-election.
The party’s leadership board backed Alexander Schweitzer to replace Bas as labour and social affairs minister.
The SPD women’s organisation criticised the choice of a man for the cabinet post, while Klingbeil said he took its concern seriously.
- Who
- Germany’s Social Democrats, co-leader Lars Klingbeil and former co-chair Baerbel Bas.
- What
- The SPD will elect its full leadership after Bas resigned.
- When
- The party congress is planned for December or January.
- Where
- Berlin; the party congress’s location is not stated.
- Why
- Bas said she needed time to mourn her stepdaughter and could no longer fully perform her duties.
SPD women's organisation
Lars Klingbeil
Cabinet appointment
SPD women's organisation
It criticised the choice of Alexander Schweitzer rather than a woman for the labour post.
Lars Klingbeil
Klingbeil said he took the concern seriously; the leadership board backed Schweitzer.
Bas resigned as SPD co-chair and labour minister.
The SPD leadership board backed Klingbeil’s proposal to name Alexander Schweitzer as labour and social affairs minister.
The SPD plans to hold a party congress and elect its full leadership.
- Party
- Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD)
- Leadership vote
- Entire leadership to be elected at a congress in December or January
- Leadership model
- Dual-chair model to continue
- Proposed minister
- Alexander Schweitzer
- Departing co-chair
- Baerbel Bas
What people are saying
the new team
could no longer fully perform her duties
Sources
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