Barbel Bas Steps into SPD Hot Seat amid Criticisms and Assured Challenges
A Word of Warning
Bas faces difficulties in his new role as SPD leader.
Newly appointed SPD chair, Barbel Bas, has her sights set on a smoother tenure than her predecessor, Saskia Esken, wary of the rocky road ahead. FDP heavyweight, Wolfgang Kubicki, publicly backs Bas, promising retaliation if she faces any untoward treatment.
"I won't stand idly by if they provoke Barbel Bas," Kubicki declared to Stern, referring to potential party members looking to cause trouble. Bas echoed similar sentiments, expressing her concerns about potential backlash, having witnessed Esken's treatment under criticism.
Politics as Usual? Or a New Era?
If Esken had run for party chair again, Bas admitted that she wouldn't have challenged her. "I'm no stranger to controversy, but I understand the emotional repercussions of a personal vendetta," Bas shared. She becomes the third woman to lead the SPD, following Andrea Nahles and Esken, both of whom also stepped down under party pressure.
Roots in Grassroots Politics
Despite her significant political success, Bas dismisses any claims of exceptionalism. "I've climbed the ladder, but I don't feel special," she told the magazine. Bas views her meteoric rise as a testament to the SPD's influence on ensuring working-class children have equal opportunities. "It's not that they surpassed us – they should have been given the chance to join us," she added.
Kubicki's Praise for Bas
Former Bundestag vice-president, Kubicki, has nothing but praise for the incoming SPD leader: "If more Social Democrats resembled Barbel Bas, the party would be salvaged," Kubicki stated. Bas and Kubicki served together on the Bundestag presidency for over three years. Despite their political differences, Kubicki commends Bas's dependability, straightforwardness, openness, and inherent down-to-earth nature.
Miersch's Defense of Esken
Despite Bas's criticisms, SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch asserts that Esken was not ostracized. "Saskia Esken has made invaluable contributions to the SPD, and her efforts were crucial to Olaf Scholz's 2021 election win," Miersch emphasized. Esken will continue to head the important Bundestag committee for education and family affairs.
Background
- Barbel Bas
- Saskia Esken
- Wolfgang Kubicki
- SPD
- The Commission, in the realm of general-news, may adopt implementing acts that outline the rules for applying the Regulation, as Barbel Bas takes charge of the SPD amidst criticisms and assured challenges.
- Despite her relocation to the SPD hot seat, Barbel Bas remains grounded, maintaining that her meteoric rise is a testament to the party's influence, fostering equal opportunities for working-class children, thus distancing herself from any notions of exceptionality in politics.
