A German state premier urges personnel changes in the SPD leadership following the poor election results. In an interview with the “Spiegel”, Alexander Schweizer, the Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate and a member of the SPD’s presidency, emphasized that not only a programmatic change in the party is necessary, but also the promotion of new faces. “We need identification figures” he said.
One of the individuals Schweizer is counting on for the party’s relaunch is Boris Pistorius, the current Defense Minister. “Boris Pistorius has been the most recognized social democrat for many months” Schweizer stated. “It would be absurd to forgo him.”
The coming weeks are “decisive for Germany” according to Schweizer and the SPD must set important directions. “Perspective cannot remain the same as it is. This might provoke the next defeat.”
Regarding the future role of party chair Saskia Esken, Schweizer was reticent, saying “that is initially her decision.” However, he stressed the importance of leading state politicians in the SPD, particularly those with government experience, in making in-depth and personnel decisions for the party leadership. Schweizer noted that a relaunch would not be possible without the involvement of the states and their ministers, as their experience and recognition by the people should not be neglected. “This would be wrong and short-sighted” he said.