A potential return for Kevin Kühnert cannot be dismissed.
Ex-SPD Leader Kevin Kühnert Ponders Future Paths after Resignation
Kevin Kühnert, the former General Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has hinted at new endeavors following his surprise resignation in October 2024. In an interview with Tagesspiegel, he expressed his intentions to embark on a new chapter this summer.
Back in 2021, Kühnert, a self-proclaimed Arminia Bielefeld fan, made headlines alongside Green Party member Cem Özdemir (VfB fan) ahead of the Pokal final in Berlin. The duo agreed that football remains one of the few domains where people from differing backgrounds collectively gather. Despite facing harassment from right-wing groups, Kühnert is a constant visitor to the Alm, an Ultra fan block of Arminia Bielefeld, noted for lacking such tendencies.
The veteran politician wrote a guest article for "Kicker" before their 2:4 loss to VfB Stuttgart, praising the club as an inspiration for others. Kühnert stopped short of ruling out a return to active politics, emphasizing that he has learned to avoid "never say never" sentiments throughout his political career.
Born on July 1, 1989, in Berlin, Kühnert is an only child from a civil servant household. He studied public relations and communication science but did not graduate. From 2021 to 2025, Kühnert held a position as a member of the Bundestag and served as a call center employee. He benefits from a monthly transition allowance of 11,227.20 euros, similar to MP allowances, until the end of July 2025.
When asked about his withdrawal from active politics, Kühnert cited perceived threats from neo-Nazis and corona deniers as reasons. He was on sick leave from October to March 2024 in the Bundestag.
German Green politician Cem Özdemir has expressed support for Kühnert and urged him to consider a return to politics in the future. Kühnert, known for his outspokenness as an active politician, recently expressed criticisms towards both sides of the political spectrum, including a fierce stance on the left of the political center.
As of now, it remains uncertain what future endeavors Kühnert might pursue. Political observers speculate that he could seek roles within Berlin's state politics, particularly considering the upcoming September 2026 elections for the House of Representatives. Alternatively, he may reappear in talk shows hosted by Markus Lanz & Co, offering analysis on political developments or critical commentary on the SPD.
Sources:- [1] Tagesspiegel, 2024- [2] Kicker, 2024- [3] Die Zeit, 2024- [4] Spiegel Online, 2024
- Despite stepping down as the General Secretary of the SPD, Kevin Kühnert, a veteran politician and football enthusiast, might pursue opportunities in politics again, with speculation arising about potential roles in Berlin's state politics or talk show appearances.
- In 2021, Kühnert and Green Party member Cem Özdemir, both avid football fans, emphasized the role of football as a unifying force, despite facing harassment from right-wing groups.
- Beyond war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice, Kühnert has shown interest in sports, particularly football, inspire-as seen in his guest article for "Kicker".
- As a high-profile political figure, Kühnert's outspokenness even extended to the sports domain, with criticisms towards the left of the political center, echoing broader debates in European leagues such as the Premier League.
