Philipp Türmer, the national chairman of the JUSO youth organization, has issued a strong warning to the SPD party leadership regarding massive disgruntlement among the party base. Speaking to the magazine Focus, Türmer stated, “The mood in the SPD is at rock bottom.”
He emphasized that this discontent is not merely a temporary reaction to a few difficult reform weeks or unpleasant decisions. Instead, he asserted that “the social democratic spirit has worn out across the breadth of this party over the last several years.”
According to Türmer, in this environment, every measure that expands faceless, precarious contracts, every attack on the eight-hour workday, and every move to eliminate paid sick leave from the first day, along with anything else that undermines the party’s identity as a workers’ party, will be the final straw.
The social democrat holds Lars Klingbeil and Bärbel Bas responsible for this situation. Türmer stressed that it is the duty of both party chairs to acknowledge this sentiment and provide clear answers. He added that the party must demonstrate to its members and voters that the Social Democrats maintain a distinct political stance, even when they are in government.
Furthermore, Türmer called for a reform of the inheritance tax. He argued that given the insufficient relief provided by past reform efforts, a fair inheritance tax that would improve the lives of most citizens in the country must be prioritized on the political agenda.
