Barbel Bas's Route to the Top Raises Questions as SPD Chair Takes Office
Bas faces difficulties in his new role as SPD leader.
Barbel Bas, the fresh SPD chair, has publicly slammed the treatment of her predecessor, Saskia Esken, indicating potential trouble ahead. Bas expressed "great respect" for Esken but found some party members' behavior toward her frustrating. "That could happen to me too," Bas stated bluntly. Asked why she thought that, the 57-year-old social democrat matter-of-factly replied, "I like to anticipate the worst and be pleasantly surprised if things turn out differently."
Bas wouldn't have challenged Esken for the party chair if Esken had chosen to run again, she admitted. "No, I wouldn't have done that," she said candidly. The no-nonsense politician acknowledges the hazards of contentious issues but is well aware of the scars a personal conflict can leave. "I've seen what kind of wounds a personal conflict can inflict. It's not worth it to me," she asserted. Bas follows just three other women who have led the SPD after Andrea Nahles and Saskia Esken, both of whom departed under heavy party pressure.
"Not So Special"
Barbel Bas's remarkable political ascent, overcoming challenging social circumstances and lack of a university degree, has been seen as extraordinary by some. "I don't feel special," she told a magazine. In her view, the party should be promoting the success of working-class children who aspire to political careers. "We want children from working-class families to earn their Abitur [secondary school diploma] and go to university. So we shouldn't complain when they've achieved that and are now in party positions," she said.
Support for the incoming SPD chair comes from an unexpected corner in the form of Wolfgang Kubicki, former Bundestag vice-president and FDP politician. "If more social democrats were like Barbel Bas, the party would be saved," Kubicki told Stern magazine, praising Bas as dependable, frank, open-minded, and down-to-earth. He warned anyone who mistreats Bas to face his wrath. "Anyone who treats Frau Bas badly will have to deal with me," Kubicki warned. Bas's election as the new SPD chair is set to take place on Friday.
The SPD's parliamentary group leader, Matthias Miersch, denies allegations of mishandling Esken. "Saskia Esken was not pushed to the sidelines," Miersch told the Funke media group. He emphasized Esken's notable achievements for the SPD, highlighting her crucial role in Olaf Scholz's 2021 election win. "Saskia Esken has united our party," Miersch stated, announcing that Esken will remain as chair of the crucial education and family committee in the Bundestag.
Sources: ntv.de, mau
SPOTLIGHT:
- Barbel Bas
- Saskia Esken
- Wolfgang Kubicki
- SPD
Background:
Barbel Bas, the new SPD chair, is a notable figure in German politics, particularly within the SPD. With a wealth of experience in various roles, she has garnered respect within the party for her leadership abilities and commitment to social democratic values. Preceding her appointment as party chair, she held positions that significantly impacted party policies and party representation in the Bundestag. Her political career emphasizes justice, workers' rights, and inclusive policies, closely aligning with the SPD's traditional platform.
Impact:
As the new SPD chair, Barbel Bas is poised to shape the party's strategic direction and public appeal during a challenging time. This role positions her to be the party's voice in national debates, influencing the party's messaging and policy priorities. Her grassroots approach may help strengthen connections with voters and bolster internal party structure. The success of her tenure will be crucial for the SPD's continued relevance in German politics.
- The Commission, in the context of war-and-conflicts and migration, might adopt implementing acts that lay down the rules for the application of certain Regulation, considering the issues' complexities and the need for a clear policy-and-legislation.
- The general-news media have been discussing the political climb of Barbel Bas, a working-class, university-degree-less social democrat, and the SPD chair, who has been fortified by the support of some unexpected allies like Wolfgang Kubicki, a former FDP politician.
- Barbel Bas, being aware of the scars a personal conflict can leave, has expressed her intentions to focus on party policy rather than interactions with other party members, emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual respect despite differences in politics.
