SPD: Hubertus Heil considers candidacy for party chairmanship

The SPD elects a new party leadership in winter – and the former Federal Minister of Labour Hubertus Heil does not rule out a candidacy in principle. He gets many encouragements from the party to stand, said Heil in the ARD program “Report from Berlin”.

But I can only say at this time: I cannot rule it out. It depends on which direction we take together and who the team is. One person alone will not make it, because the tasks are great, said the Social Democrat.

Co-party leader Bärbel Bas surprisingly announced her resignation earlier this week. The current chairman Lars Klingbeil, who is also Federal Finance Minister and Vice-Chancellor, has so far left open whether he will restart or not.

It is not about individuals or about “moving any posts back and forth,” said Heil. It is a bigger task. The SPD must take responsibility for social cohesion and for a strong democracy and also be prepared to compromise. At the same time, she must make clear what her long-term goals are.

Heil also commented on the talks on the formation of a possible red-green-red coalition in Berlin. “I have considerable doubts as to whether the Berlin Left Party is capable and willing to govern.” Before you take on government responsibility in Berlin, you have to clarify some things. This means drawing a line under anti-Semitism from both the right and the left. In addition, there must be a clear commitment to internal security in Berlin and to a sensible policy. “Only when that happens are coalitions possible, with whomever,” said Heil.

At the elections to the Berlin House of Representatives on the 20th. In September, the left had become by far the strongest force with 25.7 percent. Now an attempt is being made to form a red-green-red government in the capital.