Hubertus Heil Steps Down from SPD Leadership Bid

Long-time Minister of Labor: Hubertus Heil will not run for SPD parliamentary group chairmanship

Hubertus Heil is resigning from his position as chairman of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, citing a lack of support from the party leadership as the reason. This puts the long-time labor minister in the background.

Acting Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil has announced that he will not run for chairmanship of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag. “In recent days, I have been encouraged by various parties within the party and the parliamentary group to run for chairmanship of the SPD parliamentary group,” the 52-year-old said, according to information from the ARD Capital Studio .

However, he decided not to run. “Such an office can only be successfully exercised in this governing coalition and in these times if one has the explicit support of the party leadership.”

Heil wished all those “who will now assume leadership responsibility in the government, the parliamentary group, and the party a lucky hand.” He added that he would continue to represent his “hometown of Gifhorn/Peine” “with passion” as a directly elected member of the German Bundestag. 

In top positions for 20 years

Heil has repeatedly held top positions in his party over the past 20 years. The SPD leadership plans to announce on Monday who will represent the Social Democrats in the new government and who will lead the parliamentary group. The current parliamentary group leader, Lars Klingbeil, wants to become finance minister and must therefore resign from the post. Possible candidates for the parliamentary group chairmanship include General Secretary Matthias Miersch and the current Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Europe, Carsten Schneider.

According to information from the dpa news agency, Heil will no longer hold a leadership position in the new CDU/CSU-SPD government. Current Bundestag President Bärbel Bas is being considered as his successor at the head of the Ministry of Labor.

Heil first became Secretary General in 2005 and again in June 2017 to organize the federal election campaign of SPD chancellor candidate Martin Schulz. In the subsequent coalition between the CDU/CSU and SPD, he became Minister of Labor in March 2018. Since the end of 2019, he has also served as one of several deputy party leaders of the SPD.

Nor head of the SPD parliamentary group: Hubertus Heil will no longer hold a leadership position

Hubertus Heil has held the office of Federal Minister of Labor since 2018, most recently in the Scholz government. Although the SPD will retain his portfolio under Chancellor Merz, the 52-year-old is certain: he will not be allowed to continue his work. He will also be barred from another top position.

Longtime Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil will no longer hold a leadership position in the new government. He also announced that he will not run for chairmanship of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag. The 52-year-old has represented the Gifhorn/Peine constituency in the Bundestag since 1998. And has served as Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in various governments since 2018. The Social Democrats will retain this portfolio in Friedrich Merz’s government.

“In recent days, I have been encouraged by various parties within the party. And the parliamentary group to run for chairman of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag.” Heil said in a statement. “However, I have decided not to run. Such an office can only be successfully exercised in this governing coalition. And in these times if one has the explicit support of the party leadership.”

A few days ago, he already anticipated losing his position as Federal Minister of Labor

A few days ago, he already anticipated losing his position as Federal Minister of Labor. “I enjoyed being Minister of Labor, and I’ll still be until next week. But it’s okay that we can’t fill the entire government with SPD members from Lower Saxony. “The SPD politician told the “newstime” program broadcast by Pro7, Sat.1. And Kabel Eins on the sidelines of a DGB event in Peine.

He leaves with a certain amount of melancholy, “but not with sadness, but with great gratitude. And I will continue doing my job, namely as a member of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag.” He still has a lot planned, Heil said. It had already been expected that he might lose his post. Another reason for this is the regional proportional representation system. Which, alongside Lars Klingbeil and presumably Boris Pistorius from Lower Saxony. Likely leaves no room for a third SPD minister from that state.

SPD surprise: Hubertus Heil suddenly without a top job

And He came away empty-handed in the post allocation process. Long-time Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) will no longer hold a leadership position in the new government. He will also not run for chairmanship of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Heil said on Sunday.

He told Reuters that he had been encouraged to take on the position from various quarters. Heil added : “However, I have decided not to run. Such an office can only be successfully held in this governing coalition. And in these times if one has the explicit support of the party leadership.”

Klingbeil wants to announce SPD ministers tomorrow

The SPD plans to announce the names of its cabinet ministers on Monday. Afterward, the coalition agreement with the CDU/CSU will be signed. On Tuesday, Friedrich Merz (69, CDU) will be sworn in as Chancellor. And the ministers will be sworn in in the Bundestag.

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil (47) is slated to become Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister. He is currently also the SPD parliamentary group leader. This position will become vacant after his move to the cabinet. A co-candidate is the current Commissioner for Eastern Europe, Carsten Schneider (49), who could also become Minister of Construction.

Conclusion

In addition to Klingbeil, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (65) is considered a certainty in the new cabinet. SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch (56) is expected to remain in his post, which he only assumed in 2024. This means that there are already three men from Lower Saxony in leading positions for the SPD. Making things tight for Heil, a Lower Saxon.

Heil has been a member of the Bundestag since 1998 and was also, for a time, SPD General Secretary. He has been Minister of Labor and Social Affairs since 2018. Current Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (57) is being considered as his successor at the head of the Ministry of Labor. Heil will then continue as a member of the Bundestag.

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Sources used:

• With material from the News agencies  dpa and AFP, ntv.de, Reuters news agency, BBC News and CNN reports. The content has been independently analyzed and rewritten to provide original insights.

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