Die Welt1 hour agoPolitics1 min readGermany

“Can’t rule it out” – Hubertus Heil indicates candidacy for SPD chairmanship in January

Quick Look

Former Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil said in an ARD interview that he cannot rule out running for the SPD chairmanship at the special party conference in January.
He emphasized that he was not interested in distancing himself from the current party leader Lars Klingbeil, but rather in making the SPD stronger and more recognizable.
Heil made his candidacy dependent on the party's content and ruled out opposition to the black-red federal government.

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Why It Matters

The SPD is preparing for a special party conference in January at which the party's leadership will be decided. The current chairman, Lars Klingbeil, is also the Federal Minister of Finance in the black-red federal government.

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Former Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil may want to run for chairmanship of the party at the SPD's special party conference in January. “I can’t rule out the possibility of running,” said the SPD politician on Sunday in response to a question on ARD. “We will speak now.”

When asked what was different about him than the current SPD leader and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, Heil said that he was not interested in “differentiating myself from anyone else, but rather that the SPD becomes stronger again and is recognizable.” Heil also made a candidacy dependent on how the SPD would position itself in terms of content in the coming weeks.

At the same time, Heil emphasized that he did not want to oppose the black-red federal government. The SPD must take responsibility and be prepared to compromise. "It's not about holding out. This government must not fail, it must deliver." Heil warned that the coalition partners should not try to score points with “pitchy announcements”.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Hubertus Heil will announce his decision about running for the SPD chairmanship by the special party conference in January.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

Will Hubertus Heil actually announce his candidacy for the SPD chairmanship?
What will the SPD's content orientation look like until the special party conference?
How does Lars Klingbeil react to a possible challenge from Hubertus Heil?