Deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group, Esra Limbacher, urged his colleagues and the party as a whole to demonstrate greater willingness for change and courage in reforming. “Major reforms have been almost always initiated by social democrats. That must also be our aim today” he said in an interview with “Bild” (Thursday edition). He added that Germany will remain strong only if we have the courage to tackle change head‑on.
Limbacher called the “financial policy adjustments” under Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) a “key step”. He warned that, given global upheavals, the entire government will be held to higher standards. He also criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), demanding real reform readiness and “more realism”. “Those who lead a reform debate like an elephant in a china shop will not be surprised by the broken pieces later” he said.
“Showing impeccable poise on the international stage alone is not enough” Limbacher added. He pointed to the current approval ratings of Merz, which are below those of his predecessor Olaf Scholz (SPD), as evidence of the need for genuine reform efforts.