SPD member Giffey advocates for a vote among party members on leadership selection
Franziska Giffey Calls for Member Vote on SPD's Top Candidate for 2026 Berlin State Election
Berlin's Economy Senator, Franziska Giffey, has announced that the Social Democratic Party (SPD) will determine its top candidate for the 2026 state election through a member vote. This decision aligns with the party's commitment to democratic participation and transparency.
Giffey, a prominent figure in SPD politics, has been instrumental in shaping leadership choices. The SPD typically selects its top candidates for state elections through party conferences or membership votes, aiming to reflect the will of their members and delegates.
The current party chairpersons, Nicola Böcker-Giannini and Martin Hikel, as well as Berlin's Mayor Raed Saleh and Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe, are among the potential top candidates for the 2026 election. However, no definitive list has been made public yet.
Giffey has emphasised the importance of broad support within the party for a successful election campaign. She has also stated that there will be no top candidacy without a member vote. The leadership duo has announced that they will submit a proposal for the top candidacy agreed upon within the party in September.
The SPD, currently governing as the junior partner of the CDU, came in third in the 2023 repeat election of the House of Representatives, behind the CDU and only narrowly ahead of the Greens. Giffey opposes the CDU's proposals for the abolition of the student ticket, free childcare, or lunch for children, stating that balancing the budget on the backs of children and families is not an option with the SPD.
Giffey views the SPD as a party that ensures social justice becomes tangible for people in their daily lives. She believes in the balance of interests for the whole city, rather than engaging in clientelism. She also emphasises the importance of a strong economy and good work, positioning the SPD as a reliable partner for businesses and companies in the city.
Giffey has once again denied rumours of her potential succession as Minister President in Brandenburg. She served as the governing mayor from December 2021 to April 2023 and, alongside Saleh, the SPD state chairperson from November 2020 to May 2024.
Member votes for the top candidate have a cost in terms of time and money, but online procedures can help shorten this. The SPD is committed to making this democratic process as efficient and inclusive as possible. The details of the specific process, as outlined by Giffey, remain unspecified in the current information. For the most up-to-date information, it may be necessary to consult recent SPD press releases or Berlin state party announcements closer to the 2026 election date.
The SPD's top candidate for the 2026 Berlin state election will be determined through a member vote, aligning with the party's commitment to democratic participation and transparency. This decision is significant in the realm of policy-and-legislation and general-news, as it shapes the political landscape of the city.
