Juso boss Philipp Türmer expresses doubts about support for Olaf Scholz as a candidate for chancellor. Lars Klingbeil wants to quickly solve the K question in the SPD. All developments in the news blog.
5:05 a.m.: Juso boss Philipp Türmer expresses doubts about supporting the Chancellor as the SPD’s candidate for Chancellor. “There is no self-coronation,” he said in the podcast of the news magazine Politico (Thursday), according to the preliminary report. The final decision on the candidate lies with the party conference and it is entirely possible to “enter the race with another candidate now”. It is not a law of nature that the Chancellor becomes a candidate for Chancellor. He called for creative solutions to “turn the momentum” should Scholz be suggested. “I’m still lacking a bit of creativity at the moment.”
11:10 p.m.: Former EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker hopes that the future German federal government will return to a clearly pro-European course. “It is to be hoped that the new German federal government, when it is in office, will take a clear pro-Europe course,” Juncker told the German Press Agency. He also hopes that the German-French relationship, which is important for Europe, “will move in a better direction in the first half of 2025.”
4:14 p.m.: The SPD leadership wants to quickly end the debate about the candidacy for chancellor. “There will now be a quick decision,” says party leader Lars Klingbeil to “Bild”. Klingbeil does not give a specific date. He simply says: ”We will talk to each other a lot in the next few days – and then there will be a decision.” Klingbeil reiterated his support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to run again.
Klingbeil also makes it clear that he does not want to be pushed. “The excited debate that I experienced just yesterday is not causing me to change schedules now,” he tells “Bild”. He rejects the request to bring forward the board meeting planned for Monday. Klingbeil admits that he is “not happy” about the many public statements on the topic in the past few days.
Klingbeil says of the process of naming candidates that there is “an agreement between the party leaders and the others in the leadership of the party as to when we will do this, and we will stick to this plan.” As a benchmark for the internal party discussion, he has in mind “that we really address things internally, clearly, clearly and sometimes controversially, but that we appear united externally.”
12:29 p.m.: The former SPD federal manager and Thuringian Economics Minister Matthias Machnig sharply criticized his party in the chancellor debate. “We live in times of war and economic crisis. In such a situation, people expect clarity and leadership from politics. But the SPD is circling around itself,” Machnig told t-online. “In doing so, she is damaging herself and also the future candidate for chancellor.”
The long-time SPD campaign chief, who, among other things, managed the Schröder campaigns and the 2014 European election campaign, also blames the current SPD leadership: “It is the responsibility of the party leadership to end this debate quickly now. They would not have had it come up in the first place allowed to leave.” The leadership committees would have to clarify whether Olaf Scholz or Boris Pistorius would be the SPD’s candidate for chancellor, said Machnig. “Every day that this doesn’t happen damages the SPD.”
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
What are the potential consequences for the SPD if they choose Olaf Scholz as their candidate despite internal dissent?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen some significant developments within Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) regarding their candidacy for chancellor. How do you interpret the recent remarks by Juso leader Philipp Türmer expressing doubts about Olaf Scholz’s candidacy?
Political Expert: Good morning! Türmer’s comments really highlight a growing discontent within the SPD regarding Scholz’s leadership. By stating there’s “no self-coronation,” he’s emphasizing that the choice for the candidate should be a collective decision by the party, not simply assumed based on current position. This suggests there are factions within the SPD that are not entirely confident in his ability to lead them into the next election.
Time.news Editor: Türmer called for more “creative solutions” to shift momentum. What might he be alluding to with that phrase?
Political Expert: Türmer’s call for creativity indicates a desire for the party to explore alternative options rather than sticking to the status quo. It could be a plea for fresh ideas, new candidates, or perhaps a rebranding of their policies to reinvigorate support. Essentially, he seems to be urging the party to rethink their strategy as they navigate potential shifts in public sentiment.
Time.news Editor: Meanwhile, Lars Klingbeil is adamant about a quick resolution to this debate. How does his perspective align with Türmer’s concerns?
Political Expert: Klingbeil’s push for a swift decision contrasts with Türmer’s more cautious approach. While Klingbeil expresses support for Scholz and aims to consolidate leadership quickly, Türmer’s comments suggest there is an underlying fear of repercussions should the party not take the time to consider all options. This dichotomy reflects broader tensions within the SPD, where leadership confidence and member engagement must be balanced.
Time.news Editor: Former EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has expressed hopes for a pro-European stance from the next German government. How crucial is this stance in the context of current European politics?
Political Expert: Juncker’s hope for a clear pro-European direction is pivotal. Germany plays a key role in the European Union, and its leadership significantly impacts EU cohesion, especially in light of recent challenges like climate change, migration, and economic recovery post-COVID. A stable, pro-European German government could bolster the EU’s foundations, fostering better relationships with countries like France and stabilizing broader international relations.
Time.news Editor: As we await a decision from the SPD, what do you think are the main factors that will influence their choice for the candidate?
Political Expert: Several factors will be crucial: first, the party’s assessment of public opinion—Scholz’s approval ratings will undoubtedly weigh on the decision. Secondly, the internal dynamics and support from influential party leaders will shape outcomes, as demonstrated by Klingbeil’s assertiveness. Lastly, the strategic needs of the SPD heading into the election, such as the ability to address economic concerns, social justice, and public trust, will play a major role in determining their candidate.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights. It seems that the SPD is at a crossroads, and their next moves will be closely watched, especially as the political landscape in Europe continues to evolve.
Political Expert: Absolutely, and it will be interesting to see how the party navigates these challenges moving forward. Thank you for having me.