German politician Hubertus Heil, a former Federal Labor Minister, has called on the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) to clarify its stance on Russia ahead of the party’s federal convention. In a guest article for the “Stern” magazine, Heil emphasized the importance of clear and decisive decisions, stating that as a responsible government party, the SPD should not take a wrong turn.
Heil’s comments come in the context of a recent manifesto signed by a group of SPD politicians, including former faction leader Rolf Mützenich, which calls for a shift in Germany’s approach to Russia. The manifesto demands a reversal in the country’s handling of the relationship with Russia.
Heil expressed disagreement with the manifesto, stating that he knows and respects the individuals who signed it, but must “deutely disagree” with its content. He emphasized that while it is necessary to engage in dialogue with difficult regimes, Germany must not naively confront the aggressive imperialism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Heil also criticized what he described as a “distorted image of the Ostpolitik of Willy Brandt.” He argued that the “Wandel durch Annäherung” (Change through Rapprochement) policy of the 1960s and 1970s was not a matter of “Wandel durch Anbiederung” (Change through Sycophancy) and that Chancellor Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt were not naive pacifists who neglected the security interests of the country.