Reorganization of the SPD leadership: Mützenich: Esken should resign from the ministerial office

After the announced withdrawal of Norbert Walter-Borjans from the party leadership, the SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich asked the co-chairwoman Saskia Esken to renounce the chairmanship if she wants to become a minister. "I think concentrating on one position is challenging enough," he said in the "Interview of the Week" on Deutschlandfunk. “That's how Saskia Esken started two years ago, ultimately insisting on this independence. And I believe that she is smart enough to know that what was successful two years ago will have to be reflected again in the future. "

He expects Esken to explain himself accordingly.

"It would be good that the party also knows where it is," said Mützenich.

Esken is one of the SPD representatives in the coalition negotiations with the Greens and the FDP and is considered a candidate for a ministerial office.

The SPD dual leadership has proven itself in the eyes of the parliamentary group leader.

"I assume that it will continue to be a double leadership," he said.

When asked about Secretary General Lars Klingbeil and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig as potential candidates for the party chairmanship, he kept a low profile.

“I don't want to anticipate a personal decision by two outstanding candidates.” There is time for that.

Walter-Borjans had told the Rheinische Post that he would not apply again for the chairmanship at the party congress from December 10th to 12th. In 2019, he and Esken emerged from the SPD members as the winner of an elaborate choice of candidates. The executive federal finance minister and SPD candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz has made it clear that he does not claim the party chairmanship. Walter-Borjans had also spoken out against the party leadership moving into the new cabinet. "A member of the government as a party leader is necessarily always a piece of government spokesman," he said. The previous division of labor - party chairmanship on the one hand and government office on the other - has proven its worth.

With a view to the coalition negotiations, Mützenich opposed the accusation that Scholz was too subordinate to the FDP.

As far as the minimum wage and the additional building of apartments are concerned, the SPD has already achieved what it promised in the election campaign.

"We have to see whether we can do something for low-income households in particular."

Mützenich warned against making the possible re-election of Frank-Walter Steinmeier as Federal President the subject of staff talks as part of the formation of the government.

The long-time foreign politician also reiterated his demand to negotiate the withdrawal of the US nuclear warheads still stationed in Rhineland-Palatinate.