The SPD’s party executive has apparently decided at its Monday meeting to hold the next party convention and elect a new leadership “as soon as possible, before the summer break”. Party General Secretary Matthias Miersch is tasked with finding a suitable date in June in consultation with state and regional associations. This is according to a resolution draft reported by the Tagesspiegel, which was adopted at the meeting. The party also plans to clarify fundamental issues as part of a “programmatic renewal”.
It is clear that a new leadership will be elected at the party convention, which, according to the document, will also discuss “conclusions from the election analysis and a roadmap for the strategic, programmatic and organizational preparation of the SPD for the 2029 federal election”. This response from the party leadership comes in the face of great internal pressure and massive discontent with the leadership, following the disastrous election result. Both Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil, as party chairpersons, are under scrutiny in the wake of the election outcome.
The resolution of the party executive analyzes the disastrous election result for the social democrats. Simple explanations would no longer be sufficient in this situation. For the relaunch, there are several plans, including a political one: a commission, which will also involve external experts, will analyze the election defeat. Fundamental programmatic issues are to be clarified in an open process, also involving experts and non-members. Ultimately, it is about “redefining the role of social democracy in the 21st century and the confidence that a good future can be shaped”.
A 2027 party convention is planned to adopt a new program. However, it is not explicitly stated that a new fundamental program will definitely be adopted. The SPD’s communication is to be reorganized and improved. There are also concrete approaches for the organizational relaunch, such as standardization and digitalization in the party apparatus.