SPD working group demands special congress for new leadership

A prominent working group within Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) is demanding a special party congress this autumn to elect a new leadership. The "Migration and Diversity" working group argues that the current party leadership, headed by Bärbel Bas and Lars Klingbeil, has failed to connect with the public.

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There is massive public irritation regarding social democracy in our country. The people no longer see the SPD as a political option, that is existentially dangerous for the party.

"There is massive public irritation regarding social democracy in our country," said AG chairpersons Mehria Ashuftah and Orkan Özdemir in a statement to Der Spiegel. They contend that citizens no longer see the SPD as a viable political option, posing an existential threat to the party. The group is urging regional associations and the party executive to initiate an extraordinary congress.

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We call on the state associations and the party executive to initiate an extraordinary party congress in the autumn of 2026.

Ashuftah and Özdemir specifically criticized the dual role of party leaders also holding ministerial positions. They believe this combination is no longer tenable given the party's current challenges. Critics have previously voiced concerns that Bas and Klingbeil lack sufficient time for party duties due to their government responsibilities.

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Party leadership and government office in a personal union are no longer an option in the current situation of the party.