Nine months before the Bavarian state elections, the campaign manager and general secretary of the Bavarian SPD, Arif Tasdelen, has resigned.

Shortly before Christmas, allegations within the party became known that Tasdelen behaved inappropriately towards young women – but not in any way criminally relevant.

Situation "became too stressful"

"For months I have been confronted with allegations and rumors about my communication within the party as well as public prejudice," Tasdelen said on Tuesday.

"This situation has become too stressful for my family and me." Despite many encouraging letters and discussions, he decided to make his position as Secretary General and thus the main organizer of the election campaign available.

"I would like to help my party to start this important state election year without distractions," Tasdelen said in a statement.

Shortly before Christmas it became known that Tasdelen was not wanted by his own youngsters - the Jusos - because he is said to have behaved inappropriately towards young women.

Even if all sides emphasized that it was not a matter of criminally relevant misconduct on the part of Tasdelen.

In one case, Tasdelen is said to have insistently asked for the cell phone number of a young SPD candidate.

Tasdelen initially announced that he would formulate more carefully in the future and take part in so-called awareness training.

SPD country chief Florian von Brunn said on Tuesday at the request of the German Press Agency in Munich: "I respect his decision and thank him for the good cooperation." He and his co-chair Ronja Endres would "as soon as possible present successors,” announced von Brunn.

Tasdelen was elected Secretary General in April 2021.

Women complained about Tasdelen

The Jusos had already decided in September not to invite Tasdelen anymore.

"The reason was behavior towards young women that was unacceptable to us - some comrades had therefore contacted us," argued Juso country head Kilian Maier.

Tasdelen then announced that there had been a large number of internal discussions since the allegations became known.

To his knowledge, on two occasions his communication was found to be inappropriate.

In one of the cases, he explained that the question about the cell phone number of a young state parliament candidate had only a professional background.

Other women who were present perceived this differently than the person concerned, stressed Tasdelen.

In December, Tasdelen received support from the former SPD state leader Renate Schmidt - she called the allegations against Taşdelen "absurd".

Shutting out the SPD general because of the allegations, she finds "excessive," said Schmidt of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung".