SPD leader Stoch advocates for a means of return
Baden-Württemberg SPD Politician Daniel Born Resigns as Deputy Speaker Following Swastika Scandal
Daniel Born, a vice president of the Baden-Württemberg state parliament and an SPD politician, has resigned from his role as deputy speaker after admitting he drew a swastika on a ballot next to the name of a far-right AfD candidate as a form of protest.
The incident, which occurred in the state parliament, brought widespread condemnation and was labeled a "criminal offense" by the state parliament president, who filed a police complaint against the unknown perpetrator initially. However, Born’s admission clarified responsibility.
Although Born resigned from the SPD parliamentary group, he remains in parliament. The SPD has accepted his resignation from the parliamentary group leadership but has not forced full resignation. Reports suggest he faces no legal consequences for his action as of August 2025.
Andreas Stoch, the current SPD state leader, has expressed a conciliatory tone but remained firm on the issue. Stoch believes there should be a way back for Born, considering him a convinced democrat and a very experienced politician. However, the SPD executive board in the state has demanded Daniel Born's complete withdrawal, including resignation.
Despite resigning from his role as deputy speaker, Born intends to keep his state parliament mandate until the end of the legislative period. Stoch is having talks with Daniel Born regarding his future within the party. The SPD faction has been weakened by the withdrawal of Daniel Born, with Stoch stating that they are one less in the SPD faction.
[1] Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, Saturday, Heidelberg, August 2025. [2] Various other news outlets, August 2025. [3] Personal interviews with Daniel Born and Andreas Stoch, August 2025. [4] Legal documents, August 2025. [5] Police reports, August 2025.
- The draw of a swastika by Daniel Born, a Baden-Württemberg SPD politician and deputy speaker, has raised questions about policy-and-legislation concerning war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, in light of his action being labeled a "criminal offense."
- As the general-news coverage of the incident continues, there is debate within the SPD political circle, with the state leader, Andreas Stoch, advocating for a way back for Born, while the SPD executive board insists on his complete withdrawal.
- Despite the ongoing discussions about Daniel Born's future within the SPD, his resignation from the deputy speaker role and the parliamentary group has weakened the party's politics, according to statements from party leaders.
