Esken Under Fire: A Tale of Political Backstabbing - Will Saskia Esken Survive as SPD Chairwoman?
- Written by Miriam Hollstein
- and Lisa Becke
- ~ 4 minutes read
- SPD Leader Faces Pressure: Is Saskia Esken's Resignation Necessary?
Political arenas aren't known for their kindness. When a leader ascends, their faithful troops rally behind them. When they falter, those same followers often turn on them ruthlessly. Saskia Esken, co-chairwoman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), is currently experiencing the latter.
Esken has proven her worth, but it's time for her to relinquish her post, some claim. Leadership in the SPD failed during the campaign and must be revitalized. With both chairpersons securing roles in the government, this move would set a disastrous precedent, some insiders argue.
The Deteriorating Situation for Saskia Esken
Yet, it is Esken who is typically singled out in these discussions. Its Lars Klingbeil, her equal in responsibility for the election outcome, who has silenced all calls for his resignation by swiftly assuming the faction chairmanship from Rolf Mützenich post-election.
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So, why exactly is the female figurehead taking the fall? "It's not about man or woman," came the response from the leadership circles. "It's about performance." Esken, however, sees gender stereotypes at play in the harsh criticism directed towards her.
Mud-Slinging Rears its Ugly Head
The escalating situation for Esken is further evidenced by the "mud-slinging" - a term used to describe damaging information leaked from within one's own ranks. This term gained notoriety in 2007 when it emerged that Horst Seehofer, the then CSU chairman, had fathered an illegitimate child.
In Esken's case, Bild reported on Friday that she had taken a brief vacation - a vacay, coincidentally, that occurred during the coalition negotiations. According to her fellow party members, Esken enjoyed some R&R on the Canary Islands during this time, a decision perceived as "short-sighted" by the faction leadership. The subtext: Klingbeil is bearing the workload while Esken indulges herself, yet still covets a ministerial post.
Esken Responds: "I'm Not Shirking, I'm Not Missing Anything"
Coming from the Willy-Brandt-Haus, the response was: "She's not shirking, she's not missing anything, she's always reachable by phone." Esken took the short vacation because she hadn't taken a day off since the election and wasn't involved in the meetings of the working groups. These groups were expected to deliver their findings by Monday, just before the main negotiators from the Union and SPD conferred, to which Esken also belonged.
Esken participated in numerous marathon sessions and did not miss a single appointment during her self-arranged trip, they clarified from party headquarters. Here, they viewed the report as a targeted attempt to undermine Esken's prospects for a cabinet position.
Lars Klingbeil's Support for Esken Fades Away
Officially, Klingbeil reserves praise for his co-chairwoman. However, at the leadership's election night appearance in the party headquarters, he had already stated that there was to be a "generational change" in the SPD. Esken is 63, Klingbeil is 47.
Criticism was also directed at Klingbeil following the election. Klingbeil is seen as the man who failed to prevent Olaf Scholz's renewed candidacy. Conveniently for the SPD leader, then, the criticism is now being pointed at his co-pilot. Especially since those dissatisfied within the SPD realize that a complete change in leadership during coalition negotiations would be detrimental to their own party.
The Benefits of Criticizing Esken for Klingbeil
The argument of a generational shift is one that is raised. Or, that Klingbeil won his constituency in Rotenburg I - Heidekreis with 42.1% of the first votes, making him the most successful among the SPD members of parliament, while Esken languished in Calw behind the CDU candidate and even the AfD candidate with 12.9% of the votes.
Supporters of Esken argue that she was elected by the SPD base and not just by party congress. They suspect that the criticism is part of an attempt to discredit a woman who does not fit into the still very male-dominated leadership image of the SPD.
A charge that is not entirely unfounded. Former SPD leader Andrea Nahles also faced harsh criticism for her public appearances and found that men's power circles within the party remained closed to her.
What Happens Next for Esken?
The SPD will hold its party congress in Berlin at the end of June. A new party chairman will be elected then. A direct challenge against Esken seems unlikely, party insiders indicate. Such a move would have to be arranged in advance, they say. But, for that, an alternative would be needed.
The potential candidates who have been considered for the chairmanship have already declined: The Saarland's Minister President Anke Rehlinger, who many aspire for, shows little interest, while her colleague from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Manuela Schwesig, has a state election coming up next year and is considered indispensable. This leaves Barbara Bas, who would have the required capacities after vacating the office of the Bundestag President.
Esken Stands Firm, Despite a Broken Leg
Esken herself appears unwilling to step down without a fight, especially if she doesn't secure a ministerial post. "I have been in politics for many years and am a strong, issue-oriented woman," Esken said in a stern interview. "Of course, I believe I can handle a ministerial post." For her, it is clear that women need to be "strongly represented" in government posts. This is another sore point for the SPD: If, after the formation of the cabinet and the reorganization of the faction, only men were to dominate the picture again, it would not sit well with their women.
Not least, Esken, who has fought for much in her life, is tough. In spring 2022, she broke her leg following a fall. Because the fracture wasn't immediately diagnosed, she continued, attending party meetings for days. When it really mattered, she demonstrated resilience. Like a man.
- Saskia Esken, despite her breaks and continuing to work despite her injury, has faced criticism for her role in the SPD's election outcome, with some suggesting that she is not fully utilizing her capacities as chairwoman.
- The criticism leveled against Esken has been met with allegations of gender stereotyping, as her male counterpart, Lars Klingbeil, has faced fewer calls for his resignation despite sharing equal responsibility for the election results.
- In the face of mounting criticism, Esken has expressed that she is not shirking her duties and is fully committed to her role as chairwoman, emphasizing her strength and determination.
