Post-summer vacation, the SPD's secret unveiled
Berlin, July 2025 — As the 2026 Berlin state election approaches, the SPD party is gearing up for a significant battle. The party leaders, Martin Hikel and Nicola Böcker-Giannini, aim to make the SPD the strongest force in the upcoming elections.
However, the list of potential candidates for the SPD in the Berlin Abgeordnetenhaus election remains a mystery. According to available information, no publicly accessible sources have confirmed any specific names or lists of potential candidates as of July 2025.
One name that has been discussed is Michael Biel, the current State Secretary for Economics. Another potential candidate is Economics Senator Franziska Giffey, who is being targeted as a potential candidate for the Red Town Hall. Raed Saleh is another name that has been mentioned, but he has not been confirmed as a candidate for a member survey.
Giffey has called for a member survey to decide the top candidate, stating that broad party support is necessary. However, it is unclear whether she has a majority among the functionaries in the committees. Biel, on the other hand, has downplayed his ambitions for the top position, stating there's nothing to it. Saleh also fears a member survey, but the reasons for his apprehension are not clear.
In the last federal election, the capital's SPD came in fifth with 15.1 percent. This poor performance has prompted the party to reevaluate its strategies and potentially its leadership. Biel, however, considers himself at least senatorially suitable.
The party's success in the elections is being prioritized over personal ambitions. To achieve this, the party must be united in the question of the top candidate. The SPD headquarters will reveal the favoured name for the Abgeordnetenhaus election on September 20, 2026.
So far, only the Berlin Green leadership has announced their election campaign partner: parliamentary group leader Werner Graf (50). As the race heats up, the SPD is expected to make an announcement in late 2025 or early 2026. In the meantime, interested parties are advised to monitor official SPD Berlin communications or election news as the 2026 election approaches for updates.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3]
- The political landscape in Berlin is being shaped by the ongoing discussions surrounding potential candidates for the SPD party in the upcoming general election, with names such as Michael Biel, Franziska Giffey, and Raed Saleh being mentioned.
- The SPD party's policy-and-legislation strategies and the outcome of the 2026 Berlin state election are closely linked to the choice of the leading candidate, as the party aims to make a strong impact and reclaim its dominant position.
