Klingbeil states that Kühnert's resignation is not a power struggle
In an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Lars Klingbeil, the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany, addressed the speculations surrounding Kevin Kühnert's recent resignation as general secretary of the party. Klingbeil clarified that health reasons, not internal power struggles, are behind Kühnert's decision.
Kühnert, a prominent figure of the young left within the SPD, stepped down from his post in the autumn of 2024. Despite rumours of internal power struggles within the party, no clear evidence has emerged to suggest that Kühnert's resignation was a direct result of such struggles.
Klingbeil expressed concern about the increasing aggressiveness in political discourse, particularly affecting younger colleagues with migration backgrounds and local political officials like mayors and council members. He stated that he had noticed Kevin Kühnert wasn't doing well before his resignation.
Kühnert informed Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil about his decision to resign over the weekend before his Monday resignation. In a podcast, Kühnert spoke about the strained relationship between left-wing parties and power, which may have contributed to his decision to step back from central positions.
The SPD is currently facing significant challenges, both internally and externally, regarding its political direction and the handling of power within the party. The political stalemate and frustration within the party could potentially have influenced Kühnert's decision. However, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that these factors directly caused his resignation.
Kühnert, who will not run for the Bundestag again, has not mentioned the issues of pressures on student services or the demand for urgent action on affordable housing in relation to his resignation. The SPD stands before deutlich herausforderungen, sowohl intern als extern, was die politische Ausrichtung und den Umgang mit Macht innerhalb der Partei betrifft.
The resignation of Kevin Kühnert, a prominent figure of the young left within the SPD, in autumn 2024, has been rumored to be linked to internal power struggles within the party. However, Lars Klingbeil, the chairman of the SPD, has clarified that health reasons, not politics, are the cause of Kühnert's departure. As Klingbeil expressed concern about the increasing aggressiveness in political discourse, especially affecting younger colleagues with migration backgrounds, he mentioned his worry over Kühnert's well-being before his resignation. Despite the challenges the SPD faces in terms of policy-and-legislation and politics, no definitive evidence has emerged linking these issues to Kühnert's decision.
