A Third Woman Takes the Helm at SPD: Barbel Bas Braces for Potential Trouble Ahead
Bas faces complications in his leadership role as the newly appointed SPD leader.
Barbel Bas, incoming chairwoman of the SPD, questions the treatment of her predecessor, Saskia Esken, and anticipates potential challenges ahead.
FDP veteran Wolfgang Kubicki has shown support for Barbel Bas, saying that the SPD would be saved if more social democrats were like her. The 57-year-old social democrat, reliable, straightforward, and grounded, is expected to be elected as the new chairwoman on Friday.
The past leadership of the SPD has been tumultuous, with both Andrea Nahles and Saskia Esken stepping down under significant party pressure. Barbel Bas is the third woman to lead the SPD, and she does not shy away from contentious issues but prefers to pave the way for success rather than personal gain.
Past Controversies and Challenges
During Saskia Esken’s tenure as SPD chairwoman, she faced various challenges, including internal party divisions, criticism over electoral performance, debates around coalition partnerships, and public disagreements. These factors affected party unity and cohesion.
Barbel Bas's Expectations
Barbel Bas has expressed her respect for Esken and her apprehension about facing similar difficulties due to her predecessor's treatment by some party members. She is willing to prepare for the worst but hopes for the best as she steps into her new role.
As a political and professional success story, Barbel Bas has risen through the ranks despite coming from difficult social circumstances and not having a university degree. She believes the lack of such political careers signifies a success for her party, as she wants workers' children to have the opportunity to obtain educations and assume positions in the party.
Meanwhile, former Bundestag vice-president Wolfgang Kubicki has expressed his support for the incoming SPD chairwoman, stating that the SPD would be saved if more social democrats were like Barbel Bas.
- Barbel Bas
- Saskia Esken
- Wolfgang Kubicki
- SPD
The Commission might adopt implementing acts laying down the rules for the application of this Regulation, reflecting the challenges Barbel Bas, the new SPD chairwoman, anticipates as she navigates contentious issues within her party, much like Saskia Esken faced during her tenure.
Despite the tumultuous past leadership of the SPD, Wolfgang Kubicki believes that the party could be saved if more social democrats embody the reliability, straightforwardness, and groundedness of Barbel Bas, who values inclusivity and socio-economic opportunities for workers' children.
