Politics · Germany · 3 hrs ago
Klingbeil urges SPD to back reforms and stay in government
Lars Klingbeil is urging Germany’s SPD to keep governing and take responsibility for reforms, rather than turn inward.
At its January party conference, the party is due to decide whether to back the reforms or go into opposition.
The debate comes after SPD co-leader Bärbel Bas resigned as party leader and labour minister.
Klingbeil wants to reach an agreement with the conservative Union on pensions before the conference, with changes to health care and long-term care also ahead.
Germany’s 2028 budget currently has a €28 billion shortfall, adding pressure to find savings or other solutions.
Klingbeil has not decided whether to seek another term as party leader, and the party is also considering who should lead it next.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil is urging his party to support reforms and remain in government.
He said SPD members will decide at the party congress in January whether to back the necessary reforms or move into opposition.
Klingbeil said he wants the party to show that it is willing to take responsibility.
Before the congress, he plans to reach an agreement with the conservative Union bloc on pensions.
Health and care reforms are also planned, while the 2028 federal budget currently has a €28 billion shortfall.
- Who
- Lars Klingbeil, SPD leader, vice chancellor and finance minister, is urging his party to back reforms.
- What
- The SPD will decide whether to support reforms and stay in government or move into opposition.
- When
- The decision is due at the party congress in January.
- Where
- The party congress; its location is not stated. Klingbeil made his remarks in Bangkok.
- Why
- Klingbeil says the SPD must take responsibility amid crises, wars, and the need to support growth and investment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bärbel Bas resigned as SPD leader and labor minister following the death of her stepdaughter.
Klingbeil plans to seek an agreement with the Union bloc on pensions.
SPD members are due to decide whether to support the reforms or move into opposition.
Reforms to health care and long-term care are expected.
- Budget shortfall
- €28 billion in the 2028 federal budget
- Party congress
- January
- Pension talks
- Klingbeil plans to seek an agreement with the Union bloc before the party congress
- Next reforms
- Health care and long-term care
- SPD election result
- Manuela Schwesig’s state achieved 35 percent in an election
What people are saying
I want the SPD always to convey: We want responsibility.
At a time when crises and wars massively affect our lives, when growth is returning and investment in the country needs to be advanced, the SPD has no time to turn in on itself.
Decisions for the country—that is what matters. And for that we need the best possible team.