Former German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) leaves all options open regarding positions in the government, party and parliament. Bas told the “Tagesspiegel” (Online-Ausgabe) that she has not been unaware of the desire in the SPD for her to become the future party chairman. She will discuss the question with SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken if she has an answer. Bas is being considered in SPD leadership circles as a future SPD chairman, parliamentary group leader, or Federal Labor Minister. There is discontent among the SPD with the current party chairman, Esken. “In the end, I will decide for myself about my life” said Bas. She has had “three and a half exciting and demanding years as Bundestag President.” Bas has also heard the call for her to become Federal Labor Minister. Looking ahead to a future position, she said, “The SPD personnel roster is still settling itself. Wait until Monday next week.” On May 5, SPD Chairman Klingbeil will present the ministers of his party. He himself wants to become Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor, as he announced on Wednesday. According to the coalition agreement, the SPD is entitled to seven Federal Ministries. Regarding the succession of the SPD parliamentary group chairman, Bas said that experience, power and strong nerves are necessary for the position. “Whoever will in the future stand at the head of the SPD parliamentary group, needs experience, strength and pragmatism. He or she must support this government with power” said Bas: “Without strong nerves and without willingness to compromise, one cannot lead a parliamentary group. The two chiefs of the government parliamentary groups must find a good rapport with each other and be able to get along.” Here it is necessary: “Trust is needed so that we can succeed. The expectations of us are enormous.” The designee Union parliamentary group chairman Jens Spahn (CDU) and she already know each other well, said Bas: “We have already argued and successfully fought for joint projects.” The future parliamentary group chairmen of the SPD and Union “must set accents, that is clear” said Bas, but in these difficult times, all should “above all pragmatically govern.” Bas pointed to reliable contacts with leading Union politicians, such as the designee Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU), the designee Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) and CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann. “I have negotiated with Dorothee Bär, Karin Prien and Carsten Linnemann. I can only say good things about these long conversations. They were constructive, professional and respectful, fostering trust. This spirit is needed.
Future Chairwoman, Minister, or Group Leader?
