SPD Kicks Out Five Rebellious Members, Coalition Hangs in the Balance
SPD faction of Hamburg removes five party members - Proposal Request for a Directive on Commission Advised Regarding Legislation
Hey there! Let's chat about some eyebrow-raising political drama unfolding in Hamburg-Harburg. The SPD fraction in their district assembly has thrown five of its members out the door! Why, you ask?
These renegade SPD members have been accused of being lazy, difficult, and cozying up to the AfD. That's right, the same AfD party causing chaos across Germany. To top it off, these bad apples have been causing trouble for the negotiated red-red-green coalition by consistently skipping work and preventing the re-election of district administrator Sophie Fredenhagen.
Now, the SPD fraction only has 10 out of 51 seats in the assembly. They were the strongest force in Harburg following the district assembly elections on June 9, 2024, with a solid 28.4% of the votes. But with 5 of their colleagues causing a ruckus, maintaining the red-red-green coalition might become a struggle.
"The SPD in the district assembly is a reliable force. We shape Harburg. Those who obstruct do not belong to us," commented SPD fraction leader Frank Richter after the dismissal. He added, "Those who pursue their personal goals in alliance with the AfD no longer sit at the same table with us."
The expelled members see it differently. They claim their absences were justified, and they even offer up conversation records to back up their claims. Regarding the alleged cooperation with the AfD, they argue that it was all about a secret vote on a committee chair. Everybody voted, including their own fraction leaders! They think it's dishonest to link them with the AfD now.
One of the expelled members, Benizar Gündogdu, told the German Press Agency that she and her colleagues will continue to exercise their mandates. "We remain in the SPD. I don't take it personally," Gündogdu reassured. She appealed to her party colleagues, "One must come together."
Seems like relationships could use some mending, huh? This could get interesting!
- The dismissal of five rebellious SPD members from the district assembly in Hamburg-Harburg has brought the coalition's balance into question, as they now only have 10 out of 51 seats.
- The expelled members, who have been accused of being difficult and cozying up to the AfD, have claimed their absences were justified and offered conversation records to back up their claims.
- Frank Richter, the SPD fraction leader, commented that those who obstructed the fraction's goals no longer sat at the same table with them, referring to the members who were dismissed.
- Benizar Gündogdu, one of the expelled members, stated that she and her colleagues will continue to exercise their mandates and remain in the SPD, calling for mending of relationships within the party.
- The allegations of cooperation with the AfD by the expelled members have been disputed, with them arguing that it was simply a secret vote on a committee chair, and that everyone, including their own fraction leaders, voted.
