Prior to the SPD leadership election scheduled for January, Juso leader Philipp Türmer refused Lars Klingbeil’s renewed bid for the party chairmanship and instead called for a fundamental change in the party’s direction. Türmer told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” (Saturday edition) that if Lars Klingbeil intends to remain Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor, he should not run for party chair.
Türmer criticized Klingbeil’s tenure, stating that during the nearly ten years he held responsibility as party secretary-general and chair, he “has not identified a clear strategy for how the party can move forward.” He argued that holding the dual roles of Minister and party chairman makes effective strategy nearly impossible, and concluded, “From my perspective, everything points toward making a change here.”
As a possible alternative, Türmer suggested former Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD). “He stands for work and social affairs. It speaks volumes that the SPD needs to profile itself more clearly in these areas,” Türmer commented.
He also named Manuela Schwesig, the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (SPD), as another potential candidate. Türmer praised her for running “an outstanding campaign in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which we can all learn from. She credibly stands for social justice and growth, and ultimately she is willing to stand for anything. Whether she wants to run, she must decide for herself.”
Regarding Sigmar Gabriel, Türmer rejected the idea of his return to the SPD leadership. He explained to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that based on his observation, Gabriel holds so many supervisory board positions and other highly lucrative jobs that it is “hardly conceivable that he would find time for the SPD.” Furthermore, Türmer does not see him as fit for the future of the social democrats.
Beyond changing personnel, the Juso leader called for deep ideological reforms within the SPD. He argued, “We have lost voters in all directions because we have become a party of the status quo. We must again credibly stand up for greater justice.” He insisted that the fight against inequality must become the focus, stating, “We must stand up for distributing wealth more fairly and ensure that hard work is worth more than effortless inheritance.”
Türmer remained noncommittal about whether he would support one or both of the candidates, insisting: “I do not commit to individuals before the substantive and strategic questions have been clarified.”
