Steering clear of a wrong path: Heil's take on the SPD's heated manifesto controversy
SPD manifesto includes Heil's involvement
Prepare for some hot potato politics as the SPD is embroiled in a heated debate over foreign and defense policy. With their federal conference looming on Friday, the Social Democrats are slap bang in the middle of a fuss about a controversial manifesto championing a different approach to Russia.
Enter Hubertus Heil, the former labor minister with a new focus on foreign policy, who has weighed in with his two cents in a stern guest article. "I've known and respected many of those who have signed the so-called manifesto within the SPD," Heil writes. "However, I must take a stand and contradict their position."
The manifesto, penned by a group of SPD heavyweights such as Ralf Stegner and Rolf Mützenich, challenges the party's current stance on Germany's approach to Russia's war with Ukraine and its plans for rearmament. Proponents of the manifesto believe in more diplomatic efforts and restoring long-term relations with Russia, advocating for a common European security order.
However, Heil isn't having any of it. "The SPD, as a responsible governing party, must not take a wrong turn," he warns. "We must decide and clarify important issues, such as rearmament and the handling of Russia." The SPD had already agreed on a foreign policy course paper at their 2023 federal conference, which emphasizes security before, rather than with, Russia.
Heil also addresses the historical undertones of the manifesto, stating that Germany's rearmament is a necessary response to a double crisis: Russia's full invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump's re-election. "Germany can no longer rely on the United States when it comes to security and freedom," Heil says.
The controversy within the party is heated, particularly among older members, who engage in a debate about historical interpretation. While Stegner and Mützenich often reference past SPD chancellors and the party's Ostpolitik in their support of the manifesto, Heil cautions: "It's important to talk to difficult regimes, but it's dangerous to face Putin's aggressive imperialism with naivete."
It appears that the manifesto's supporters are a minority within the SPD, evidenced by the youth wing Jusos' stance. Philipp Türmer, the Juso chief, criticizes the manifesto for lacking substance and contributing little to actual peace and security. While dialogue about long-term disarmament is legitimate, Türmer warns against adopting overly Russian-influenced views.
Source: ntv.de, shu
- Hubertus Heil
- SPD
- Rolf Mützenich
- Ralf Stegner
- Lars Klingbeil
- Ukraine Invasion
- Russia
- German Defense Policy
Additional insights:
- In June 2025, a group of over 100 SPD-affiliated figures issued a manifesto that criticizes the SPD’s coalition agreements and current government policy on Russia and defense, advocating renewed talks with Russia and opposing Germany's armament decisions, such as the stationing of U.S. conventionally armed cruise missiles in Germany[5].
- The manifesto challenges the SPD’s 2023 stance, which ruled out any normalization of relations with Russia as long as it pursued imperialist goals of conquering and suppressing sovereign states. The manifesto authors aim to overturn this consensus[5].
- The controversy within the SPD reflects broader challenges the party is facing, including electoral losses and strategic disagreements[2]. It highlights contrasting visions within the party: one advocating robust military readiness and a hard line on Russia, and another pushing for dialogue and caution against escalating military tensions[2][5].
- Hubertus Heil, a former labor minister with new focus on foreign policy, has publicly contradicted a manifesto by SPD heavyweights Rolf Mützenich and Ralf Stegner, criticizing their approach to Germany's relationship with Russia and its defense policy, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
- As the SPD grapples with internal controversy and strategic disagreements, Heil emphasizes the importance of the party making clear decisions on crucial issues like rearmament and handling Russia, as opposed to pacifying Putin's aggressive imperialism with naivete.
