SPD chairmanship in Berlin: Giffey never mentions plagiarism affair

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For Franziska Giffey the setting took some getting used to.

The hall in the Neukölln Hotel Estrel, in which the Berlin SPD opened its party congress on Friday evening, was almost deserted, only the party congress presidium, camera teams and technicians were live on site, the delegates sat at home in front of the computer screen.

Not exactly the ideal scenario for a speech that should convey a new beginning and a new beginning - especially for a politician like Giffey, who only really blossoms in close contact.

"It is very different from usual when there is not a full hall that sets the mood, carries us and gives us a boost," said the incumbent Federal Family Minister at the beginning of her introductory speech.

The Berlin SPD had to postpone its party congress twice, and now the long-awaited change in leadership from long-time state chairman Michael Müller to a dual leadership composed of Giffey and the parliamentary group leader in the House of Representatives, Raed Saleh, is to succeed in the third attempt.

But just before the election, which is so important for them, the Free University of Berlin announced that it would review Giffey's doctoral thesis, which was criticized.

Because of several plagiarisms, the university had given her a reprimand in autumn 2019, but decided against withdrawing the title.

Giffey reacted angrily, but then fled to the front and declared that he no longer wanted to use the title now and in the future.

"I am not willing to make my dissertation and the newly opened procedure associated with it the subject of political disputes."

"She makes politics with her mind, but also with her heart"

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And the Berlin SPD is holding on to her.

The plagiarism affair was not even worth mentioning during the debate on Friday evening.

Instead, there were appeals for cohesion.

"Franziska Giffey's decision was received with respect and recognition in the entire Berlin SPD," said her designated co-chairman Raed Saleh WELT.

“It was a clear commitment for the party to go into the election campaign unencumbered.” In his introductory speech, Saleh went into raptures about the communication skills of his designated co-chairmen.

“When I'm out and about in town with Franziska, you notice that there is a human relationship between her and the people on the street,” said Saleh.

"She makes politics with her mind, but also with her heart."

The candidate gave a foretaste at her introductory round.

“Stay as you are and don't forget us,” the people would have told her three years ago when she said goodbye as mayor of Neukölln.

She always took this to heart in her work in the Family Ministry.

Now she's going back from the federal government to the state of Berlin, "because a hometown is close to my heart, because I want to stand up for the city and our SPD," said Giffey.

“You can rely on me no matter what happens, no matter what people say and mean.

I'm here. ”She then roughly outlined the election program that she developed together with Saleh and that is to be worked out in the next few weeks.

Following their penchant for striking language, Giffey called it “The five B's for Berlin: Building, Education, Best Economy, Citizenship, Berlin in Security.” The new duo wants to pursue a “pragmatic, ideology-free course for the middle of society” she announced it in the course of her candidacy.

That can only be done together, said Giffey.

"And if we are in a good mood and exude confidence and strength, then it will work."

SPD has to catch up

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There was also a Candystorm in the evening for Michael Müller, the outgoing state chairman.

He had headed the Berlin SPD for twelve and a half years, from 2004 to 2012 and then again from 2016 to 2020. As chairman of the Prime Minister's Conference, he was just this week at what felt like the peak of his media presence.

“You are a steadfast person, you get better and better under pressure,” said Interior Senator Andreas Geisel, praising him when he left.

With the party conference, the Social Democrats wanted to start "a real new beginning for the Berlin SPD in a very decisive phase," said Müller.

For the future of the Berlin SPD, he wishes for unity and support for the new leadership duo.

For months, the party has been "more united than it has been for a long time," said Müller.

"Support Franziska and Raed just like me."

However, the Berlin SPD urgently needs unity in its race to catch up.

Most recently, the party was in surveys constant at values ​​around 16 percent and thus behind both the Greens and the CDU.

However, nothing is decided.

The House of Representatives election is expected to take place at the same time as the Bundestag election in autumn 2021 - and for the first time in around 20 years, none of the top candidates will enter the race with an official bonus.

Neither Kai Wegner from the CDU nor Bettina Jarasch from the Greens are well known among the population.

The Social Democrats can rightly hope to improve their chances with the well-known and widely popular Giffey.

It remains to be seen whether she will be able to really leave the plagiarism affair behind her.

At least the SPD supporters seem willing to forgive her, as a Civey poll for “Spiegel” from this week showed.

Almost 75 percent of them are of the opinion that Giffey should continue to hold top political office, even in the event that her doctorate is officially revoked.