Hubertus Heil plans to seek the SPD chairmanship at the party congress in Bremen in January. According to Der Spiegel, the former labour minister informed the party’s federal executive, regional branches and working groups in writing of his intention.
Heil said he would stand “as one of the chairs”. He did not identify a prospective co-chair. The SPD plans to elect its entire leadership after Bärbel Bas resigned as party chair and labour minister in mid-October.
His announcement puts renewed focus on an argument already present within the party. Der Spiegel reports criticism that Lars Klingbeil may not be able to give enough attention to the SPD while serving as party chair, vice-chancellor and finance minister. Heil said leading a major party requires “high commitment and full attention” and that he wanted to devote his full strength to the chairmanship.
That statement does not settle whether Klingbeil’s offices can be combined. But it gives the dispute a possible personnel dimension: Heil is presenting full-time attention to party leadership as part of his case for seeking the post.
Klingbeil has not said whether he plans to stand again, according to Der Spiegel. Heil’s prospective co-chair and other possible contenders are also unknown. The SPD leadership intends to present a personnel proposal by December.
Sources
- Der Spiegel · Source date: 2026-11-14
Independent editorial content. WUA is not affiliated with any political party. 2026-11-14