In an interview with the Bild Zeitung, SPD leader Lars Klingbeil outlined the party’s conditions for a potential coalition with the Union after the election. According to Klingbeil, the SPD will not compromise on fundamental issues such as the German constitution, European treaties and international law.
The SPD leader emphasized that the party will not support any measures that would effectively shut Germany’s borders, a proposal made by CDU leader Friedrich Merz. Klingbeil stated that the SPD needs a strong Europe as a response to global challenges and that closing borders would undermine European unity.
The SPD leader also expressed his expectation that the CDU would not want a segregated Europe or a shut-off Germany. Klingbeil criticized Merz, saying that the CDU leader had broken his word by cooperating with the far-right.
Klingbeil’s remarks were a direct response to Merz’s statements, which had previously been described by the SPD leader as “old-fashioned.” However, Klingbeil now characterized Merz as “untrustworthy” due to his decision to work with the far-right. The SPD leader concluded that Merz’s actions would be remembered in the history books as a significant turning point, marking the first time a leading figure in the CDU had collaborated with the far-right.