Schism within SPD: A Call for Diplomacy over Militarism in Policy
SPD's dissenting faction forcefully denies right-wing allegations of a planned policy intensification - SPD Left Rejects Government's Arms Policy Due to Untruths
The SPD Left's manifesto, a radical departure from the party's recent military policy stance, has left Lower Saxony's Minister President, Olaf Lies, unimpressed. The manifesto, launched by a faction of the SPD, criticizes the current government's stance on the Ukraine war and military policy as a whole, just weeks before the SPD's federal party conference. This group includes notable figures like former faction leader Rolf Mützenich, ex-party chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans, and foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner.
Lies: A Waste of Time
Lies finds no positives in the manifesto, warning against ignoring reality and the dangers of refusing to face it squarely. He believes the manifesto misguided and not reflective of the majority of Social Democrats. "It won't find a majority in the SPD," he asserted, expressing doubt that its proposals would gain popular support.
Manifesto: Diplomacy Over Military Alarmism
Referred to as the SPD Peace Circles, the manifesto calls out the "persistent push for endless armament and the alleged impending war." They caution against military alarm rhetoric and massive rearmament programs, claiming they lead to destabilization and heightened mutual threat perception between NATO and Russia.
Resuming Dialogue with Russia
The signatories urge the resumption of dialogue with Russia following a ceasefire, aspiring to establish a European peace and security order carried by all and respected by all. They also oppose the deployment of new American intermediate-range missiles in Germany, laying emphasis on diplomatic negotiations.
- SPD
- Olaf Lies
- Lower Saxony
- Foreign Policy
- Manifesto
- War in Ukraine
- Russia
- NATO
- Germany
- Diplomacy
The SPD Peace Circles within the SPD, led by figures such as Rolf Mützenich, Norbert Walter-Borjans, and Ralf Stegner, advocate for diplomacy over militarism in policy, as stated in their manifesto that criticizes the current government's stance on the Ukraine war and the persistent push for endless armament. In contrast, Lower Saxony's Minister President, Olaf Lies, finds the manifesto not reflective of the majority of Social Democrats, stating it will not gain a majority in the SPD and that ignoring reality and refusing to face it squarely could be dangerous.
The SPD, Olaf Lies, SPD Peace Circles, manifesto, Ukraine war, militarism, diplomacy, reality, Lower Saxony, war, armament, Russia, NATO, Germany
