A leading political scientist has offered a critical assessment of the Social Democratic Party’s (SPD) performance during the first 100 days of the current governing coalition. Professor Wolfgang Schroeder of the University of Kassel stated in an interview that the SPD entered the coalition “with enormous problems” and appears currently “overwhelmed.
Schroeder observed a lack of discernible strategy from the party’s co-leaders, Bärbel Bas and Lars Klingbeil. He suggested their dual roles – leading the party while simultaneously holding ministerial positions – are proving challenging. “The double role of Bas and Klingbeil isn’t functioning yet” he stated, adding that both leaders are so preoccupied with governing responsibilities, they have yet to generate significant momentum or direction for the party itself.
Specifically, Schroeder commented on the performance of Labour Minister Bas, who was elected party co-leader in June with over 95% of the vote. He indicated she appears to be struggling to effectively leverage her position, suggesting her current standing within the party rests largely on a presumption of competence based on her prior experience rather than demonstrable results.
