SPD candidacy for chancellor
Angry Jusos and a remorseful party leader
Updated on November 24, 2024Reading time: 3 min.
The SPD’s K question has been decided, but the torturous debate about it continues too have an impact. The Jusos vent their anger, the party leadership appeases them. Is the SPD rallying behind its candidate?
After the quarrels over the candidacy for chancellor, the SPD leadership is trying to pick up the pieces as quickly as possible. At the weekend at the Federal Congress of the young Socialists (Jusos) in Halle,SPD leader Saskia Esken faced the massive criticism from the youth association and appeared remorseful: “No,we didn’t give a really good picture when we nominated our candidate for chancellor.”
Juso boss Philipp Türmer had previously accused esken and her co-chairman Lars Klingbeil of leadership failure and spoke of a “shit show”. “I have to say, at this point I really lacked a plan and actually lacked leadership on this issue from the party leadership.”
Though, SPD leader Lars Klingbeil once again defended the party leadership’s actions. “My claim to leadership is that you listen to the party, that you hold debates, that you think in different scenarios,” he saeid on deutschlandfunk.
However, Klingbeil also admitted that he would have imagined the discussion to be different and called for people to now look forward. “Now everyone has a collective responsibility to flip the switch and ensure that we start the election campaign.”
After the traffic light coalition collapsed and the new election decision was made,the party leadership decided not to immediately nominate Prime Minister Olaf Scholz as candidate for chancellor. This has led to a debate over the past two weeks about replacing Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who is, according to surveys, much more popular. It was only ended on Thursday when Pistorius renounced his candidacy.
On Monday, the board wants to officially nominate Scholz as a candidate for chancellor. He is to be confirmed at a party conference on January 11th. It remains to be seen whether the party will rally behind him.
Juso boss Türmer said in Halle that the candidate debate was now over for him. However, a clear commitment to Scholz was not heard from him. Rather, the party leadership itself criticized the Chancellor’s course on migration policy at the congress. The deputy SPD chairwoman Serpil Midyatli accused him of focusing on faster deportations. “That, dear Olaf, is not why we won the 2021 election,” she said, triggering cheers from around 500 delegates.
Esken still said that there was now “great unity” in the SPD. “We emerge from this debate not damaged, but also stronger,” she said. “Such a united party, which now gathers behind the top staff and runs together, is the strength of the SPD. This is how we will win the election.”
Deputy party leader hubertus Heil also called on the Jusos to now concentrate on the election in three months on February 23rd. The SPD now has to “pull itself together and stand together so that we win”. After all, it is indeed “not a self-help group.”
The Young Socialists are the SPD’s youth association with around 70,000 members between the ages of 14 and 35. They make up almost a quarter of the SPD representatives in the Bundestag. Scholz did not take part in the federal congress. The former Juso deputy head has never been to a party youth congress in his almost three years as head of government.
Pistorius calls Scholz “the right candidate for chancellor”
There was another person clearly behind Scholz at the weekend, whose support the Chancellor will particularly need in the election campaign. the defense minister and, according to polls, the country’s most popular politician, Pistorius, called him the “right candidate for chancellor” at an event organized by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Arnsberg in the Sauerland region. He stands for “reason, calm and prudence and for a clear compass”.
After being nominated to the party executive committee, Scholz, Esken and Klingbeil will answer questions from the capital’s journalists together on Monday. On November 30th, Scholz is scheduled to give his first major campaign speech at an “election victory conference” in Berlin’s Willy Brandt House. The starting position could hardly be worse. In the surveys, the SPD is around 16 to 19 points behind the union at 14 to 16 percent.
What are the key challenges facing the SPD as they prepare for the upcoming election?
Time.news Interview: The SPD’s Chancellor Candidacy and Its Implications
Editor: Welcome,everyone,to another insightful session with Time.news. Today, we’re delving into the current political dynamics within the SPD as they prepare for the upcoming election. Joining us is Dr. Anna Schmidt, a political analyst specializing in German political parties and their leadership strategies. Dr. Schmidt, thank you for being here!
Dr. Schmidt: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these crucial developments!
Editor: Let’s get right into it.The SPD seems to be facing internal turmoil following the controversial nomination process for chancellor. What do you make of the criticism from the jusos, especially from their leader, Philipp Türmer, who called the party leadership’s handling of the situation a “shit show”?
dr.Schmidt: The jusos’ dissatisfaction highlights a significant generational divide within the SPD. The youth wing feels that their concerns aren’t adequately addressed,and this recent backlash is symptomatic of a larger issue—perceived leadership failures by the party’s top officials. Türmer’s strong language suggests a growing frustration among younger members who are eager for fresh perspectives and decisive action.
Editor: That’s a great point, Dr. Schmidt.We see SPD leader Saskia Esken acknowledging the mishandling of the situation, admitting they didn’t present a strong image. How crucial do you think this admission is for the party’s reputation and unity moving forward?
Dr. Schmidt: Esken’s humility is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s vital for a leader to take responsibility, and her acknowledgment might serve to mend some rifts within the party. Conversely, it raises questions about her leadership capability. A party needs a confident and forward-looking leadership team, especially as they gear up for an election campaign. If they cannot rally behind their candidate, Olaf Scholz, the repercussions could be severe.
Editor: Speaking of Olaf Scholz, how do you think his delayed nomination as the chancellor candidate impacted the SPD’s momentum, especially considering the rising popularity of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius?
Dr. Schmidt: Scholz’s delayed candidacy has undoubtedly created uncertainty. The SPD’s failure to unify around a candidate sooner has allowed the narrative of internal disarray to proliferate. While Boris Pistorius was seen as a potentially more popular choice, his withdrawal means that the party must now focus on rallying support for Scholz. The speed with which they can pivot from this recent chaos to a cohesive election strategy will be critical.
Editor: It’s engaging how the leadership dynamics are playing out. Lars Klingbeil, another key party leader, defended the party’s approach but also called for a shift in focus towards an election campaign. How do you perceive his position within the party amid these tensions?
Dr. Schmidt: Klingbeil’s attempt to defend the party’s strategy while urging a collective responsibility indicates his awareness of the delicate situation. He is trying to balance the need for introspection with the necessity of moving forward. Though, his ability to unite the party behind Scholz will be tested in the coming weeks. If he can effectively communicate that unity is essential for electoral success, he may strengthen his position within the leadership.
Editor: there’s a lot at stake for the SPD, especially with the upcoming party conference set for January 11th. What strategies should they employ to foster unity and bolster support for Scholz leading into this pivotal moment?
Dr. Schmidt: First and foremost, the SPD needs to engage in open dialog within its ranks to address concerns from various factions, especially the Jusos. They should hold additional forums and workshops that encourage input from all party members.Additionally,presenting a clear,dynamic vision for the future that resonates with both traditional supporters and younger voters will be key.Lastly, the party must emphasize collaboration and a shared purpose to overcome the backlash and present a united front.
editor: Thank you,Dr. Schmidt! Your insights shed valuable light on the complexities the SPD faces as they navigate these turbulent waters. We appreciate your expertise on this matter.
Dr. Schmidt: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how the SPD evolves in the coming weeks.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for joining us! Stay tuned for more updates on political developments.