BackSPD: After Bärbel Bas's resignation, Lars Klingbeil is going all out

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Spiegel Deutschland1 hour agoPolitics1 min readGermanyView original

SPD: After Bärbel Bas's resignation, Lars Klingbeil is going all out

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After the withdrawal of co-party leader Bärbel Bas, SPD party leader Lars Klingbeil wants to have the party leadership re-elected at an early party conference in order to strengthen his position.

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Why It Matters

Bärbel Bas has resigned as co-party leader of the SPD, which has created a question of power within the party.

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SPD after Bas resignation Now Lars Klingbeil is going all out

After the withdrawal of co-party leader Bärbel Bas, the question of power arises in the SPD. Party leader Lars Klingbeil wants to have the leadership elected at an early party conference. Can he hold on?

By Sophie Garbe and Andreas Niesmann

October 12, 2026, 7:38 p.m

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Lars Klingbeil is confirmed as party leader at the early party conference.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

When exactly will the early party conference take place?
Who could challenge Lars Klingbeil?
How will the SPD base react to the move?

Lars Klingbeil reiterates his desire to remain Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming new SPD leadership election at the federal party conference at the turn of the year. He emphasizes the importance of the election for clarity in terms of personnel and program, but leaves it open whether he himself will run for party leadership.

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