Politics · Germany · 15 hrs ago
Sigmar Gabriel says Democrats must build on US election win
Former German vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel discussed the Democrats’ US election win on Caren Miosga’s TV show.
He said the result showed that American voters can reject authoritarian leaders.
Gabriel warned that the Democrats’ chances in the next presidential election will depend on their policies, and said Donald Trump could still use his powers to block laws or take other significant actions.
He said Democrats should focus on improving people’s lives and avoid becoming consumed by internal disputes.
Turning to Germany, Gabriel said he hopes SPD leader Lars Klingbeil runs again because instability would not help the governing coalition.
He criticized former labour minister Hubertus Heil’s role in introducing Bürgergeld, saying the benefit had hurt the SPD’s standing with some workers.
Gabriel ruled out returning as party leader, saying his wife would oppose it.
Former SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel urged party leader Lars Klingbeil to run for another term in January.
Gabriel said Germany did not need the second coalition partner to become unstable.
He argued that the US midterm results showed moderate left-wing candidates could still inspire voters.
Gabriel criticized former labor minister Hubertus Heil’s support for the citizen’s benefit program, saying it had harmed the SPD.
Gabriel ruled out returning to the SPD leadership, saying his wife would oppose it.
- Who
- Former SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel urged SPD leader Lars Klingbeil to seek another term.
- What
- Gabriel said he hoped Klingbeil would run again as party leader.
- When
- Gabriel made the remarks on the Sunday evening program Caren Miosga. The article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- On the Caren Miosga television program.
- Why
- Gabriel said the SPD should avoid instability while its coalition partner was already facing questions about its leadership.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The US Democrats won the midterm elections, which Gabriel cited as evidence that moderate left-wing candidates could attract voters.
Gabriel discussed the election and the SPD on the Caren Miosga program and said he hoped Klingbeil would run again.
Klingbeil is expected to face another election for the SPD leadership.
- SPD leader
- Lars Klingbeil
- Former SPD leader
- Sigmar Gabriel
- Next party leadership contest
- January
- Program
- Caren Miosga
- Criticism
- Gabriel said the citizen’s benefit program had harmed the SPD.
2 sources
What people are saying
I hope he does it.
I don’t think Germany is helped in this situation if the second coalition partner also becomes unstable.
The political left around the world has a Jacobin gene.
That had been enough for me, and besides, my wife would be against it.