The Social Democratic Party (SPD) parliamentary group in the Bundestag plans to host a fundamental debate concerning the future of the European peace order. According to the news portal T-Online, the discussion event is scheduled for December 8th in the Otto-Wels-Saal in the German Bundestag, where the topics of supporting Ukraine, reinforcing Europe’s defense capacity, and managing Russian aggression will be addressed. The members of the SPD received formal invitations for this event on Tuesday morning.
The initiative comes from Siemtje Möller, the Deputy Chair of the SPD parliamentary group. The meeting, titled “SPD Parliamentary Group: Controversial Social Democratic Impulses for European Peace?”, aims to address core questions that extend beyond the immediate challenges facing the continent.
The format of the event is divided into two parts. The first part will feature “scientific impulses from outside,” presented by peace researcher Thania Paffenholz and political scientist Herfried Münkler from Humboldt University of Berlin, offering diverse perspectives on the issues. This will be followed by a “lively and controversial debate” among SPD Members of Parliament.
Deputy Chair Siemtje Möller stated to T-Online that, “Russia is continuing to wage a brutal war in Europe. The desire for peace and the search for ways to achieve it are more urgent than ever.” She stressed that this is an existential issue for Germany.
Möller explained that since the full Russian invasion, the support for Ukraine and the strengthening of defense capabilities have dominated political discussions with tremendous urgency and pressure. However, she emphasized the necessity of looking beyond these immediate challenges to develop the party’s own approaches instead of merely reacting to unfolding events.
According to Möller, the SPD must develop its own ideas originating from Germany and Europe regarding how to advance diplomatic initiatives, what a structured diplomatic process should look like, and what conditions are necessary for its success. She concluded that the SPD wants to create its own vision because “we cannot leave these questions solely to the great powers.”
