SPD Bundestag member Carsten Träger has died. The parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment passed away unexpectedly at the age of 52, the Bavaria SPD announced on Sunday.
Träger was a defining figure in the SPD, having shaped the party over decades with passion, conviction and a clear value compass, the SPD said. He had been a member of the SPD for more than 30 years and had served in various roles, including district and regional chair in Middle Franconia, Bundestag representative, chair of the Bavaria SPD regional group, and most recently parliamentary state secretary in the Environment Ministry.
As the lead candidate, he steered the Bavaria SPD through the most recent federal election campaign. His commitment to social justice, solidarity and a sustainable future resonated well beyond Bavaria, the Social Democrats noted. Bavaria SPD state chairs Ronja Endres and Sebastian Roloff said they had lost “a passionate fighter for social justice and for the protection of our living conditions”.