Kandidaten-Suche: Heil tritt an - Wer noch Chancen auf den SPD-Vorsitz hat

Two months before the SPD party conference, former Minister for Labour Hubertus Heil officially announces his candidacy as one of the leaders of the Social Democratic Party of Germany for the January 2025 conference in Bremen. Heil had previously only discussed the possibility of standing for party chairmanship with Bild and ARD.

He writes in a three-page letter to the party's regional associations and the party executive, stating his intention to dedicate himself fully to the position of party chairmanship. He calls for clear concepts and new ideas, as well as a more visible SPD. Heil's candidacy comes as former party chair Bärbel Bas resigned in October 2023, and he was passed over for a post in the SPD cabinet last year, leading to criticism about his representation of SPD values.

Heil has a history of passionate speeches at party conferences and could provide the needed energy at the conference. Critics argue that Heil has had many opportunities in recent years to shape the SPD but has not led the party in a new direction. The only other name mentioned as a potential candidate besides Heil is Lars Klingbeil, the current deputy chairman.

Klingbeil has not yet decided whether to run again, stating he "will not cling to my position." The SPD executive will present their candidate list by December, after which Heil will decide whether to run. Heil has support from prominent SPD figures, such as Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and new Labour Minister Alexander Schweitzer, who have both ruled themselves out of the race.

However, there is significant opposition from grassroots SPD members who have submitted an amendment to the party conference proposing to separate party leadership from ministerial positions. Jusos chief Philip Türmer also backs this proposal. Potential female candidates for party chairperson include prominent Ministerpräsident Manuela Schwesig from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, who is seen as a strong contender by both officials and the party membership.

Schwesig believes that as Ministerpräsidentin she could shape federal policy, but as party chair she would face the challenge of compromising with the Union in the coalition committee. In a dual leadership scenario with Klingbeil, Schwesig may gain more popularity and could potentially run for chancellor in the 2029 Bundestag election.

Anke Rehlinger, the Minister President of the Saarland, is also mentioned as a possible candidate but has declined the offer. Other potential female candidates include Finance Minister Verena Hubertz and Fraktionsvize Wiebke Esdar and Siemtje Möller. If no female candidate is found, the SPD is open to a single female leader, which they would explicitly welcome. Schwesig is not named but is considered the only potential single leader.