After several fierce internal elections in the SPD, where party women in particular have gained the upper hand, new discussions have emerged.
“It was not a clever way for the Berlin SPD to ‘give up a bit of the political center'” said former Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller (SPD), who himself lost in a similar internal election, in an interview with ‘Welt TV’. In his opinion, it is essential to address different milieus and voters. Only then can the SPD be strong.
Müller observed a stronger positioning of party members within the SPD nationwide. However, he does not see this as a “confrontation that is not there”. “Of course, we all in the SPD – we’re not in the party by chance – for example, fight for workers’ rights” explained the SPD member, who insists on making “left politics, social democratic politics”.
Despite this, he warned against setting too strong a profile: “I believe the SPD is always strong when it manages to implement its program with a mixed slate of candidates.”
When asked about his own chances of winning the direct mandate again, Müller showed determination. He had already won the constituency in 2021 against prominent opponents, including the Federal Minister of Family Affairs Lisa Paus (Greens), and reckons he still has “good chances”. At the same time, he sees the party’s internal development critically: “There is simply a discrepancy – at least for Berlin, I can say that – between the membership and some influential officials.”
Speculations about possible coalition constellations, such as the “Germany coalition” proposed by FDP Vice Wolfgang Kubicki, consisting of the Union, SPD, and FDP, were commented on by Müller with restraint. He sees “clear differences between the SPD and FDP” and wants to continue to fight for a good result in a strong SPD. “We will have a decent result” he concluded, and advised Kubicki, “rather make a campaign before giving coalition recommendations.