The Social Democratic Party (SPD) in North Rhine-Westphalia recently selected Jochen Ott as its top candidate for the state election. Ott secured 96 percent of the votes during the state delegation conference held in Düsseldorf, achieving the highest result since Hannelore Kraft was chosen as the lead candidate ten years ago.
In his nomination speech, Ott outlined his platform, advocating for a robust industrial policy alongside increased research and development funding, while also proposing a comprehensive “relief package” for families. His specific proposals include introducing free lunchtime for all kindergarten and primary school children, abolishing childcare fees, and establishing a free youth travel ticket.
Ott also addressed contemporary issues and the rise of extreme wealth, commenting on Elon Musk’s status as the world’s first trillionaire. The SPD politician stated that if one individual can achieve such immense riches, “capitalism is broken,” emphasizing that no single person should hold so much power. He called for action against major tech corporations, asserting it is “time to break up the new tech conglomerates” and that they must defend democratic values.
The state election is scheduled for April 25, 2027, and the SPD plans to launch its campaign using the slogan, “Now, finally fair.”
