SPD President Lars Klingbeil criticizes internal debate over Co-President Saskia Esken’s ministerial suitability as “embarrassing.” In an interview with “Bild am Sonntag” Klingbeil said, “I find it embarrassing how discussions have gone in the last weeks.” He has experienced a public debate on Saskia Esken and finds this style in the SPD unacceptable, as he has always fought for its absence. Klingbeil promises to decide with Esken whether she will become a minister in the new government. He refuses to publicly evaluate Esken’s ministerial qualifications and instead promises to uphold a gender quota for the seven ministerial positions and two state minister positions: “If we are to form a cabinet, there will be more women than men on our side.” Regarding his own future as SPD President and a candidacy at the June party congress, Klingbeil said, “I am very happy to be the party president and I see it as a great honor.” He wants to maintain the dual leadership of the SPD with a woman and a man.
Klingbeil slams SPD debate on Esken’s ministerial role as ’embarrassing’
