Landes-SPD ⁣Voices⁢ Sharp Criticism of Party Leader Klingbeil

May 10, 2025, 10:10 p.m.

DUISBURG, Germany – Tensions are‍ rising within the Social Democratic Party (SPD) ⁣at⁢ the ⁢state level, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia, where party leader Lars Klingbeil faced pointed‍ criticism ‌at a recent party congress. Delegates raised concerns about his leadership and the party’s⁤ direction following⁢ recent election setbacks.

Klingbeil’s appearance at the North Rhine-Westphalian SPD state party congress in Duisburg marked his first major address too the party‍ base since the formation of ⁤the new​ federal⁤ government. He faced accusations from younger delegates of inadequate⁢ programmatic planning and sidelining his co-chair, Saskia ​Esken.

Klingbeil attempted to ⁣address ⁢the critical mood with‍ a broad speech emphasizing unity and solidarity. He acknowledged past mistakes but failed to ⁣quell the discontent simmering within the state association, which had already conducted a harsh self-assessment following ⁣the‌ SPD’s poor performance in the last federal election.

“How Many Last Shots?”

Nina Gaedike, head of the Juso⁣ youth wing, questioned Klingbeil’s strategy, asking, “How many last​ shots actually exist?” She challenged him to present a ​clear plan to reverse the SPD’s​ long-term decline, accusing him of merely “circulating all controversy” during the Duisburg congress.

Calls⁣ for New Leadership

The criticism deepened as delegates questioned Klingbeil’s accumulation of positions, including his role⁤ as Federal Minister of Finance, after⁢ the election losses. Some argued ⁣that Esken had unfairly shouldered the blame for the party’s failures.

One⁤ delegate described the situation as ‌”indecent,” alleging a pattern of women taking responsibility⁤ for failures while ⁤men secure top positions. Another delegate questioned‍ the party congress’s motto, “From everyday life into the future,” suggesting that the current trajectory would prevent the SPD from achieving that future.

several delegates called for a basic overhaul of the party, including ‌”new faces at the party leadership.” They criticized the current leadership ⁤for exchanging “funny positions​ with each other”⁤ and ​tolerating mockery within the party.⁤ One delegate urged Klingbeil to take responsibility for the election results, stating, “It is indeed your job to ⁣ensure⁢ that there is still something left of the shop.”

“We Fought Like the Stupid”

Another delegate prefaced her criticism by stating, “In North Rhine-Westphalia you look openly and honestly in the eye and then say the truth.” She expressed anger over the lost federal election, ⁤stating, “We fought like the stupid.” She argued that⁣ the entire party leadership should be held accountable for the poor results, adding, “It‌ can’t be that ​someone​ picks the raisins and then gets the big items.” She accused those who cling to their positions “like second adhesive” of having “lost the⁣ moral compass.”

Klingbeil defended the SPD’s personnel decisions, stating that they were ⁢made collectively by the leadership team. He​ acknowledged​ the need for discussion but cautioned against personal attacks.

Warning Against ⁢Radicalization

Klingbeil cautioned ⁢against calls​ for a radical shift in⁤ the SPD’s platform, arguing against ‍moving further to the left. He maintained that social democracy must focus on⁢ policies that benefit the middle⁣ class.

Klingbeil assured ⁤delegates that the SPD would address the Bundestag election debacle, stating, “We need an honest, more open, relentless discussion in the SPD, how we ⁣can get stronger again.” He said this discussion would be a major focus at the Federal Party Congress in june. He apologized for his limited time at the Duisburg congress, explaining, “I have to go to Schleswig-Holstein.”

He acknowledged the challenges of the past few weeks, stating that they⁢ had been “shaped by⁣ heights, depths, pace, tough decisions and also⁤ injuries.” He stressed the‍ importance of unity and⁣ solidarity within the party, stating that the new coalition ​of the SPD and Union is “condemned to​ success.” He concluded with an appeal: “let’s be a closed, a solidarity, a strong SPD.”

NRW-SPD Confirms Leadership

The congress also included board elections. Achim Post, ⁤a member of the Bundestag,‍ and Sarah⁤ Philipp, a⁢ member of the state parliament from Duisburg, ‌were re-elected ⁢as co-chairs. They have led the ⁣North Rhine-Westphalian SPD, the party’s largest state association with approximately 86,000 ⁤members, as⁣ August​ 2023.

Philipp, 42, received 88.8 percent of‍ the‍ vote, closely matching her previous ​result. Post, 66, received 82.3 percent of the ⁤418 valid votes. Both ran unopposed.