Heil on the desired SPD chairmanship: “I have a lot of support from the party”

Heil on the application for SPD chairmanship “I have a lot of support from the party” As of: November 15th, 2026 • 7:44 p.m

The SPD is looking for a new party leadership. The first applicant is Hubertus Heil. He received a lot of support from the party, he said in the report from Berlin. He also commented on Vice Chancellor Klingbeil. Heil left it open which woman he wanted to run with.

Hubertus Heil was one of the leading SPD politicians for many years. As general secretary, deputy party chairman and labor minister, he was in the front row of the Social Democrats. Heil is currently “only” a simple member of the Bundestag. He wants to change that and is running for the SPD chairmanship. From the bench to the top job - that's what he wants to achieve at the party conference on January 16th and 17th in Bremen.

“I have experience, but also curiosity for new things,” said Heil in the report from Berlin. He wants to make the SPD more visible, revise the program and arouse passion for the party. “Twelve percent shouldn’t be the last word in history,” he said, referring to the SPD’s poll numbers.

Currently, the party leadership and the most important government job as Vice Chancellor are in one hand - that of Lars Klingbeil. From Heil's point of view, this is not a good situation. He wants to distribute the tasks in the party and government across several shoulders. This means that whoever is in charge in the SPD should not also hold a government office. It was the same at the time of the traffic light coalition. The demand is supported by several SPD working groups and the youth organization Jusos.

But he will “definitely” work with Klingbeil. If Heil is elected, he should remain in his government office. “I’m a team player,” said Heil.

Ilanit Spinner, ARD Berlin, on the discussion about the SPD party chairmanship and the candidacy of Heil tagesschau24, November 15th, 2026 • 11:00 a.m. Heil can't get anything out of Schwesig. Is that enough to convince the party? “I have a lot of support from the party – from the grassroots and from mayors,” said Heil. A regional association had already nominated him for party leadership last night - without his knowledge. "That means there's obviously a longing, also a great deal of support, for someone to make their contribution."

Heil did not comment on the question of which woman he wanted to run for party leadership with. The person in question will express themselves. He is in contact with Manuela Schwesig, who is considered the favorite by many observers - he appreciates her. The Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has so far left a candidacy open. Political scientist Wolfgang Schroeder believes she is holding back because she is striving for higher things. Her goal is more likely the Chancellery.

In addition to the personnel composition, it is unclear whether the Social Democrats will continue to have dual leadership.

Former Labor Minister Heil wants to lead the SPD. What is party leader Klingbeil doing? He has new well-known advocates. more

The reorganization of the party leadership was made necessary by the resignation of Bärbel Bas as co-leader. Klingbeil has not yet said whether he will continue. He recently said that he believes he can help the party in the difficult phase and at the same time emphasized: "I am not attached to my office."

But in the course of the Heil application, he received prominent support: SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch and Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider spoke out in favor of another term in office for Klingbeil. Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig from the ranks of the leading Social Democrats had already spoken out clearly in favor of Klingbeil a few days ago.

The SPD state leader in North Rhine-Westphalia, Sarah Philipp, called on her party to appear united and not to worry about itself. Olaf Lies, Prime Minister and SPD state leader in Lower Saxony, told the editorial network Germany about Heil's candidacy: "Competition is good for a vibrant party."

Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger, Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and parliamentary group leader Miersch have ruled out running for party leadership.

This topic in the program: The First | Report from Berlin | 11/15/2026 | 6:00 p.m., The First | daily news | 11/15/2026 | 8:00 p.m