SPD: Hubertus Heil comes into play for the SPD leadership

The former Federal Labor Minister does not rule out an application for the SPD chairmanship at the special party conference in January. First, however, the party's political course must be clarified.

Hubertus Heil: The former Federal Labor Minister does not rule out running for the SPD chairmanship. Photo: dpa

Berlin. 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."

» Read also: “It’s been too long for me”: Chancellor Friedrich Merz is increasing the pressure on the SPD

Heil warned that the coalition partners should not try to score points with “pitchy announcements”. Most recently, Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz called for the electricity tax to be reduced. CSU boss Markus Söder insisted on Sunday on tax compensation for the cold progression. The tax rates should be adjusted to inflation-related increases, for example in wage increases.

Finance Minister Klingbeil sees both as difficult given the tight budget situation. Like Klingbeil, SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (all SPD), Heil comes from Lower Saxony. Miersch and Pistorius have already spoken out in favor of Klingbeil's re-election.

Heil was Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs from 2018 to 2025. Under him, social benefits were significantly expanded and citizens' money, which was now converted into basic security, was introduced.

More: How the SPD crisis follows Lars Klingbeil to Bangkok

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