Bärbel Bas, the chairwoman of the SPD, defended the Social Democrats’ direction within the federal government against internal party criticism. In a summer interview with ZDF, the Federal Minister of Labor stated that the party has a historical responsibility to ensure the coalition’s success. Addressing her critics, she asked how long the consequences of their stance would be, questioning, “What is the outcome of that? Should we leave the coalition?” She argued that without the SPD, a neoliberal course would be unstoppable in Germany.
Bas added that the SPD represents “the only stop sign” in the current government. Recalling past coalition meetings, she pointed to debates concerning reductions in sick days, foregoing wage continuation, removing protections against dismissal, and the potential abolition of the working time act. The SPD, she emphasized, resists these measures strongly, making it crucial for the party to be part of the government to serve as a corrective force.
However, Bas also conceded that her party must undergo a strategic realignment. She noted that nobody could be satisfied with the current polling numbers or election results, and as a result, the party is currently developing a new foundational program.
