At least eight out of the 120 SPD members in the new Bundestag are having a problem with CDU leader Friedrich Merz being chosen as Chancellor. This was the result of a survey by the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung” among all members of the new SPD faction.
A grand coalition would only have a narrow majority of 12 votes. Four members, namely Jan Dieren, Annika Klose, Angelika Glöckner and Rasha Nasr, say they would not vote for Merz now and would not do so in the future unless the relationship improves. Four more members, namely Bettina Hagedorn, Sebastian Roloff, Daniela Rump and Ralf Stegner, express fundamental reservations against a Chancellor Merz.
The SPD member Roloff knows of more: “I know of a lot more than three hands full – which would already make the majority waver – who would have a hard time with a black-red coalition.” Others point out that there were 13 no-votes, three abstentions and two members who invalided their ballots during the election of Lars Klingbeil as faction leader. This is interpreted in the faction as 18 members not following the new leader, which reduces the faction’s discipline during the Chancellor election.
Roloff told the FAS: “I don’t have to give Friedrich Merz my vote if he is elected Chancellor. I am only bound by my conscience.” The member of parliament Klose said: “How can I raise my hand for Friedrich Merz? The political trenches are very deep. That is not the Merkel-CDU anymore. Merz and Linnemann are very far right, very conservative, very neoliberal.”
The votes in the Bundestag with the AfD, the small inquiry on state-funded organizations and the tone in the election campaign are making the members of parliament doubt Merz. Dieren said: “Who knows if he won’t fall back on this blackmailing tactic again: ‘Either you do it now or I’ll get my way another way.’ I don’t trust him.” Klose said: “If one negotiates a coalition treaty with them, how much is that worth a few weeks later?