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SPD Vice Kevin Kühnert has left the office of Juso chief with tears in his eyes.

"That might be a bit strange for people who are watching now - why is he crying around now?" He said in a partly choked voice.

Kühnert added that he had "done a tough job in recent years" and always received the "unconditional support" of the Jusos for "the whole madness".

"I had a lot of fun," he emphasized at the digital federal congress of young socialists.

He called on the SPD youth organization to stick to their decidedly left-wing course.

The Corona crisis had shown that many things could be implemented that the Jusos would have been demanding for a long time - such as the suspension of the debt brake, massive state investments, job guarantees, said Kühnert.

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"Why should that only be possible in times of crisis?" He said.

“Obviously, the financing doesn't seem to be the problem.” In this context, Kühnert reiterated the Juso call for the reintroduction of the wealth tax.

Listening to the Jusos more than a recipe for political success

The Berliner resigns prematurely as Juso boss after three years because he wants to move into the Bundestag next year.

In his speech, the 31-year-old once again described the Jusos' job: They are not a debating club, but want to influence real political decisions.

In the past few years, they had also wanted to shake up the parties, which had all gathered too much in the middle of the political spectrum and all of which were somehow in agreement.

"In response to our suggestions, I don't want to hear, man, 'are you crazy', I want to hear counter-suggestions," he said.

He called on his association not to allow themselves to be belittled and brought down.

"Do not be told that the debates are not important," he said.

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The Jusos were often more on the cutting edge than many realized.

Many of their proposals were initially not taken seriously, but are now being seriously discussed in the SPD - such as ticket-free local transport.

“Listening to Jusos more often means noticing earlier where the critical political debates are pending,” he said.

The potential successor immediately criticized Olaf Scholz

The only candidate for Kühnert's successor is the 28-year-old teacher Jessica Rosenthal from Bonn.

Before the congress, Rosenthal verbally distanced himself from SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz.

"I don't want to see a campaign that is always about one person," she told the newspapers of the Funke media group.

“It is clear to Olaf Scholz that he has to make offers to the Jusos and young people.

I demand that. "

Among other things, the Jusos insisted on a state training guarantee, said Rosenthal.

In addition, Kühnert must play a leading role in the election campaign.

Around 300 delegates elect the new chairperson by postal vote.

The result is to be announced on January 8th.

Rosenthal, who is also aiming for the Bundestag, continues to reject the grand coalition with the Union.

The SPD does not succeed in scoring points despite the good work of its ministers, she criticized in the Funke interview.

Instead, they rely on a left alliance with the Greens and the Left: "The primary goal of this federal election campaign must be that the Union is removed from the Chancellery and sent into the opposition." Rosenthal again criticized the principle of the market economy.

“This capitalist economic system will no longer work in the long run.

It is based on the exploitation of humans and nature, ”she said.

The economy must be democratized, employees in companies must be involved.