SPD Faction in North Rhine-Westphalia Disagrees on Manifesto: Key Points of Contention Explained

Jimmy's here, and let me tell you a tale about a ruckus in the Social Democratic Party (SPD) that went down recently!

Since the start of last week, there've been tempests brewing within the SPD ranks. A clique within the party unexpectedly published a "Manifesto," aiming to spark dialogue with Russia, hoping to turn the tide on Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine. They also proposed nixing the plan to deploy more US missiles in Germany.

Some bigwigs, such as Rolf Mützenich, former faction leader and Norbert Walter-Borjans, ex-NRW finance minister, both hailing from Cologne, have thrown their names onto the manifesto. About 100 people have signed in total.

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil steps back

There's no denying it—some party members find the paper a ticking time bomb. Several prominent SPD heads have voiced frustration, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) diagnosing a touch of naivety amongst his party comrades. He warned the idea of closer ties with Russia is a pipe dream, asserting it during a ZDF talk show. Foreign policy spokesman Adis Ahmetovic even called it a provocation. Even party leader Lars Klingbeil kept his distance.

"SPD politicians defend the Russia Manifesto" | more (Defense Minister Boris Pistorius's perspective)
"SPD: Klingbeil distances himself from Russia Manifesto on foreign and security policy" | tagesschau (Lars Klingbeil's stance)

Club of like-minded individuals

It's only fair to mention that Manifesto supporters, including the aforementioned hefty hitters, claim the unleashed debate isn't an act of defiance against party leadership—just an illustration of the party's capacity for diverse viewpoints.

Adherents of the Manifesto are united by their devotion to a social democratic tradition. Trailblazers like Willy Brandt sought and cultivated diplomacy with Russia, helping to foster a more peaceful and stable Western Europe in the process.

"Willy Brandt's brand of Ostpolitik" is the heartfelt shout-out in the document.

Read the Russia Manifesto in full | Homepage "Eyes straight ahead!"

The authors reference the fact that it was just rounds of talks between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987 that resulted in a pact banning all intermediate-range nuclear arms. It contends that this "accomplishment" "never would have occurred without diplomacy."

"Dialogue is not a sign of weakness," the manifesto authors maintain, "but it isn't a magic bullet either."

Little understanding amongst critics

As the haters say, times have changed. Amongst the naysayers is NRW SPD faction leader, Jochen Ott. He understands the signatories' motivation and their dream of a peaceful Europe and Ukraine, Ott told our site. But now, Germany needs to be able to protect itself, Ott contends with regard to the planned deployment of more intermediate-range missiles in Germany. "Tough talk" is a language Putin also understands and grasps, Ott asserts.

On the idea of conversing with Russia, Ott told our site: "I think it's a moot point."

The leadership dithers

NRW SPD heavyweights, like General Secretary Frederick Cordes and NRW party leader Sarah Philipp, seem to be tiptoeing around clearly taking a side on the Manifesto. “We’re not commenting on the content of the Manifesto,” assures Cordes, adding that the reality is indeed complex.

The SPD remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, assures Cordes, and yet, abandoning the peace consensus by Russia necessitates Germany to fortify its defenses and modernize the Bundeswehr. The party believes it's wise to leave negotiations with Putin to the United States.

SPD scion Abdi from Cologne stands by her support for dialogue

Younger signatories hailing from the front office of the SPD NRW include federal parliamentarian Sanae Abdi from Cologne. Many voters in her Cologne constituency are eager for discussions, the 38-year-old believes. Diplomacy—she considers it a natural course.

Abdi was able to sign the manifesto because, in her view, it doesn't imply a villain-hero swap. Rather, it clearly states that Putin is the aggressor in the Ukraine conflict. The name Putin isn't mentioned anywhere in the manifesto.

Whether a conversation with Putin might actually be possible is uncertain, Abdi admits. "Indeed, there are conversations happening currently."

"Don't close the door on the peace movement"

Even while internal party discussion groups buzzed with debate over the Manifesto, Abdi also encountered hopes of peace from her Cologne constituency, who recognized a piece of their old SPD in her.

"Misguided, but not well-executed": Thorsten Klute

The SPD state parliamentarian from Bielefeld, Thorsten Klute, sees it differently. "The signatories—and not just them—have underestimated their evaluation of Russia under Vladimir Putin." They've erred in their thinking after the Caucasus conflict in Georgia, the first Russian attack on Ukraine in 2014, and the geopolitical consequences of the Nord Stream 2 project, Klute asserts.

They've also failed to appreciate Putin's intentions even just before the second attack on Ukraine in February 2022, Klute supposes. Putin isn't seeking relaxation, Klute insists.

The SPD's Russia Manifesto keeps fueling debates within the party

Sources:

Statement by SPD state parliamentarian Thorsten Klute
Statement by SPD faction chairman NRW Jochen Ott
Statement by SPD state chairman Frederick Cordes
Interview with MP Sanae Abdi
Quotes from conversations in ZDF talk show Maybrit Illner
Interview with Rolf Mützenich (SPD) in the "Rheinische Post"
Subscribe here to our newsletter for politics in NRW | more

Enrichment Data:The SPD manifesto, signed by prominent former party members, covers the following key aspects:

De-escalation and Arms Control: The manifesto puts forth the idea of a "strategy of de-escalation" for Europe, advocating against a renewed arms race and proposing arms control and disarmament initiatives. It emphasizes that bellicose language and rearmament plans escalate tension between NATO and Russia.
Dialogue with Russia: The signatories aim for the resumption of dialogue with Russia to form a universally respected peace and security framework in Europe. While negotiations will proceed when hostilities cease, they will first focus on humanitarian aid.
Opposition to Missiles and Increased Defense Spending: The document advocates against the deployment of additional US medium-range missiles in Germany and plans to significantly increase defense spending. Instead, it champions prioritizing defense capabilities through arms control.

The SPD leadership, including party chairman Lars Klingbeil and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, do not seem to endorse the manifesto's call for immediate dialogue with Russia. The manifesto is perceived as more of an internal party affair rather than a direct challenge to the party leadership's stance, which aligns with the broader government policy on Russia.

However, the German government, including the SPD as part of the ruling coalition, has been cautious about formal dialogue with Russia. The German Foreign Ministry, as of the current government, has stated that there are no grounds for direct dialogue with Russia, emphasizing that any negotiations should be conducted in cooperation with European partners.Thus, although some SPD members advocate for dialogue, the party leadership and the German government maintain a more conservative stance on direct engagement with Russia.

"Political rift widens in Germany's SPD over Russia Manifesto" | general-news (Describes the ongoing debate within the SPD and the party's conflicting policies regarding Russia)
"SPD's Russia Manifesto: A call for peace or a risky foreign policy gamble?" | war-and-conflicts (Discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding the SPD's Russia Manifesto and its potential implications for Germany's foreign policy)

SPD Faction in North Rhine-Westphalia Disagrees on Manifesto: Key Points of Contention Explained