Mecklenburg-Vorpommern leader rules out running for SPD party chair

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister-President Manuela Schwesig has dismissed speculation about her potential move to lead the Social Democratic Party (SPD) nationally. "I have no intention of running for the party leadership," Schwesig stated at an election forum hosted by the Ostsee-Zeitung in Rostock.

Schwesig has consistently expressed her desire to remain in Schwerin and continue leading the government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The current SPD leadership, including Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas, has faced pressure regarding various party issues, including proposed changes to pension policies.

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I have no intention of running for the party leadership.

Despite her disinterest in the federal role, Schwesig's SPD is polling strongly in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with up to 29 percent support ahead of the state election on September 20. However, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is also polling significantly higher, reaching up to 36 percent in recent surveys, making a clear victory uncertain.

Claudia Müller, the Green Party's lead candidate for the state election, had urged Schwesig to publicly reject any federal leadership ambitions, emphasizing the demands of governing the state. The SPD's general secretary in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Julian Barlen, called Müller's appeal absurd, reiterating Schwesig's clear commitment to her current role.

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a clear commitment of the current and – I assume – also future Minister-President for the federal state.