Federal election 2025: Lindner: Scholz as a candidate “is fine with me”

The fact that Pistorius has now finally left the debate about the SPD’s K question is triggering predominantly positive reactions in his party. SPD leader Saskia Esken praised the decision Rhenish Post as “sovereign and a great sign of solidarity with the SPD and Chancellor Olaf Scholz”. We will now fight to ensure that Pistorius can become defense minister again in the next government.

Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil also supported the Chancellor. “The Prime Ministers also think it is right that we are going into the next federal election campaign with Olaf Scholz,” said the SPD politician. Weil praised the Chancellor’s competence and prudence. In times of crisis, it is “fundamental that there is someone at the head of the federal government who acts with experience and caution and who will ensure that we do not have a war and that we use all opportunities for peace,” said Weil.

The chairman of the Lower Saxony state group of the SPD parliamentary group, Johann Saathoff, said Rhenish Post: “I am pleased that the discussion is now over. Respect to Boris Pistorius for his decision and for solidarity.” The SPD MP Johannes Arlt made a similar statement to the Mirror: “Even if I would have wished for a different decision: now we have a decision. This is good for the party and the country,” he said.

However, Ralf Stegner criticized the fact that Pistorius only announced the decision now. “After the difficult situation of the SPD in the last few days, I had hoped for such a statement from Boris Pistorius in a timely manner,” he told the Rhenish Post. SPD member of the Bundestag Joe Weingarten, who was one of the first in the party to publicly speak out in favor of Pistorius, also criticized the decision. “I regret this development,” he told the Mirror.