Klingbeil at Ruhr-SPD: SPD in the Ruhr area accuses the federal government of snitching

The SPD in the Ruhr area has criticized the black-red federal government for “uncoordinated bickering” and “open disputes”. People are annoyed by this and want solutions for their problems, said Martin Murrack, chairman of the Ruhr SPD, at a members' convention in Bochum under the motto "The Ruhr area speaks plain language." There, federal party leader and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil answered questions from members.

Murrack criticized that there was a lack of respect in dealing with each other in the coalition, including from the SPD. The party political tactics in Berlin must come to an end. Compromises are needed in a coalition, but the SPD lacks a clear positioning and must not “lose its common thread,” warned Murrack. The reforms need to be improved.

NRW party leader Sarah Philipp campaigned for a policy change in North Rhine-Westphalia, where the CDU and the Greens currently govern, a good five months before the state elections. The Ruhr area is not the SPD's problem child, but rather one of its greatest strengths.

Based on a Ruhr position paper, members in Bochum are to develop central “heart chamber theses” in workshops. The paper with a lot of criticism of the federal government and especially of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) was presented a few weeks ago and was signed by top SPD representatives from the Ruhr area.

The Social Democrats from the Ruhr area want to put their questions to Vice Chancellor Klingbeil, who will also reveal which reform proposals he will take with him to Berlin. Under the “Berlin listens” block, a single mother or a Thyssenkrupp employee will also explain what they expect from the beleaguered SPD.