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The SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken wants to run for another term after the resignation of her co-chairman. Several media reported on Thursday.
Berlin – According to media reports, the SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken will apply for another term as party leader. Initially, the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” and the “Spiegel” reported on Thursday, referring to their own unspecified information, that Esken was tending in this direction. Shortly afterwards, the 60-year-old told the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” (Thursday) that she had “decided to renew my application for the highest office in the party”.
“I see my task in modernizing the SPD, strengthening its historically grown values and developing social democratic ideas and positions from this with the members and in exchange with society,” Esken told the newspapers. Together with Walter-Borjans, you have achieved a lot in the past two years. “The SPD is united, successful and strong as it has not been for years. I would like to continue on this path. “
SPD: Esken wants to remain party leader – personnel proposal expected for Monday
After co-party leader Norbert Walter-Borjans announced his withdrawal, the SPD executive board wants to present a personnel proposal for the new top duo * on Monday. Before the general election, Esken had already shown interest in another term as party chairman. After the resignation of her previous duo partner Walter-Borjans, she has so far left it open whether it will stay that way. Alternatively, there was speculation about a possible ministerial office for Esken in the traffic light coalition sought by the SPD with the Greens and the FDP.
The SPD had also made it clear that the current separation of government and party leadership should remain – as was the case with the dual leadership of a woman and a man. The current general secretary Lars Klingbeil is likely to take over as the new co-party leader. However, he has not yet officially commented on a candidacy.
SPD: Klingbeil new party chairman? Heil only finds words of praise
“Lars Klingbeil would be an excellent choice as party chairman,” said the previous federal labor minister and party vice-president Hubertus Heil of the “Rheinische Post”. He expressed himself confidently “that we will again succeed in setting up the party leadership as a powerful team that bundles competencies in order to meet the demands of the SPD as a people’s party”.
Regarding his own ambitions, Heil said: “I will run again as deputy party chairman of the SPD and I am grateful that my district has nominated me for it.” The new party leadership is to be elected at a party congress from December 10th to 12th in Berlin.
After announcement of resignation: Walter-Borjans speaks out in favor of the current course of the SPD
Walter-Borjans called on the SPD to stick to its current course and the last dealings * with one another, even under new leadership. “We have to take our own success story seriously. It has to do not only with a candidate and two chairpersons, but with the willingness that everyone withdraws from time to time,” he told the editorial network Germany (RND).
The outgoing SPD leader referred to a new “much more open and respectful” debate culture in the party and emphasized: “Alpha animal behavior is an obsolete model. It should stay that way.” Looking at Klingbeil and Esken, he said: “Saskia Esken and I have worked closely with Lars Klingbeil.”
Walter-Borjans justified his retirement, among other things, with the aim of a generation change. He is 69 years old, Esken 60 and Klingbeil 43 years old. Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz has made it clear that he does not want to become party chairman. (AFP / dpa) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
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