SPD's Internal Tussle: Russia Brouhaha before Party Conference
Prior to the SPD's party congress, a sudden blaze engulfs their hut.
It's party time for the Social Democrats (SPD), but not all's well in their camp. A heated dispute has erupted over how to handle Russia and the government's rearmament plans, threatening to overshadow the SPD federal party conference in June. The bone of contention is a manifesto supported by former faction leader Mützenich, which is a direct attack on the party leader and Defense Minister.
"Party time, but business as usual won't fly this time!" That's the vibe surrounding the SPD federal party conference in Berlin. The three-day event, supposed to signal the end of the SPD's post-election reckoning, has been brought to a standstill. Confronting the party leader Lars Klingbeil and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the dispute revolves around the true essence of being a "peace party" today and in the future.
SPD: To Russia or Not to Russia? Internal Debate
The discord was sparked by Ralf and Rolf: veterans Ralf Stegner, a long-time SPD foreign policy expert, and Rolf Mützenich, a left-winger and former faction leader. Their joint signature graces a "manifesto" by the SPD peace circles. Joining them are three other Members of the Bundestag, numerous state parliamentarians, former party leader Norbert Walter-Borjans, and a cavalcade of former heavyweights from the party. The manifesto is a bold challenge to Klingbeil's course and the black-red federal government as a whole.
Criticisms and Rebuttals
The authors advocate for a "step-by-step return to relations and cooperation with Russia." They question NATO's spending on armaments and manpower, claiming that such a return to a policy of pure deterrence would not make Europe safer. They call for a "peace policy with the goal of joint security" with Russia, instead of against Russia. They list NATO countries' omissions and errors, contending that one-sided blame concerning the war against Ukraine is not helpful. They question the immediate threat of a Russian attack on the Federal Republic, attributing this doubt to the European NATO forces' existing superiority over the Russian army.
"Why Didn't We Continue the Debate?"
Significantly, this manifesto goes against the party conference resolution promoted by Klingbeil in December 2023. He had wanted to realign the SPD's foreign policy and draw a line under the long-standing Russia proximity of German Social Democrats. "Today, it's about organizing security against Russia," Klingbeil declared a year and a half ago. Even then, Mützenich had said, citing applause, that it was a "shame" to put the former détente policy "in a line with the aggressive war" against Ukraine.
Assessments and Counterpoints
Political expert Michael Roth expresses concern, stating that the criticism of the SPD leadership for not reacting to the balance between the party's resolutions and sentiments is valid. "We should have continued the debate instead of shelving it," he contends. On the day after the manifesto's publication in the magazine "Stern", the party headquarters had little to comment, merely stating, "The SPD is broadly positioned on this issue. And that's a good thing, we are a people's party. Therefore, this is also a contribution to the debate."
Defense Minister Pistorius Slams Manifesto
Roth himself was alienated due to his forceful demands for more decisive support for Ukraine, not least thanks to Mützenich. "I am surprised that the former SPD parliamentary group leader is attempting to undermine his own party's government and defense minister - the most popular politician in the country - in this way," says Roth now. "The same parliamentary group leader, by the way, who had repeatedly accused me of putting a heavy strain on the party's solidarity with me." This time, this accusation could be directed at Mützenich himself.
A Different Perspective
Defense Minister Pistorius fiercely rejects the manifesto. He reproaches it for ignoring Putin's unwillingness to negotiate and de-escalate, while focusing solely on the actions of Ukraine and its supporters. "He breaks off negotiations. And when he conducts them, he simultaneously bombs the cities in Ukraine with even greater brutality," observes Pistorius.
Miersch's Distance
Parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch distances himself from the manifesto, acknowledging that it contributes to the debate but disagreeing with some central basic assumptions. "Of course, diplomacy remains the top priority. But we must also honestly say: Many offers of conversation - also from Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz - have been rejected. Vladimir Putin is not willing to listen so far," Miersch contends.
Roth's Disappointment
Roth himself, who was eventually isolated due to his strong advocacy for Ukraine, criticizes the manifesto. "The so-called manifesto is not a contribution to the debate; it's historical revisionism," Roth maintains, asserting that ignoring Russian security interests is "blatant nonsense."
Stegner's Defense
Stegner defends his stance, refuting the assertion that arming can be the only solution. "Talking to governments we don't like is necessary," Stegner contends, emphasizing the need to end the daily loss of life in Ukraine. Attempting to extend a hand to Russia, according to Stegner, is not the goal. He justifies the manifesto as a meaningful contribution to the program debate within the SPD.
Support from Youth and Eastern Germany
Particularly in the east, the SPD suffered significant losses in the Bundestag election. The military support for Ukraine and the economic break with Russia are less palatable there than elsewhere in the republic. Signatories to the manifesto, such as Brandenburg SPD Bundestag member Maja Wallstein, assert that the document is not intended as an attack on the party leadership or the federal government's rearmament course. Instead, she seeks "open debates about how we can also achieve a disarmament perspective in the long run."
- The internal dispute within the SPD revolves around various policy matters, including community policy, employment policy, and policy-and-legislation, as highlighted in the debate about Russia and government rearmament plans.
- The manifesto published by Ralf Stegner, Rolf Mützenich, and others critiques the spending on armaments and manpower by NATO, calling for a 'peace policy with the goal of joint security' with Russia, and challenging the party conference resolution promoted by Lars Klingbeil.
- The manifesto, criticized by Defense Minister Pistorius, focuses on Putin's unwillingness to negotiate and de-escalate, while ignoring his bombing of cities in Ukraine, aligning with the crime-and-justice category, as it discusses ongoing global conflicts.
