Pistorius does without Chancellor candidacy: SPD in turmoil!

Pistorius does without Chancellor candidacy: SPD in turmoil!

In a surprising turn, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has given up his ambitions for the SPD's candidate for the Chancellor's candidate in the upcoming Bundestag election. In an emotional video message, he announced on Thursday evening: "I have just informed our party and parliamentary group that I was not available for the candidacy for the office of Chancellor." This decision is not only personal, but also a strong signal to the SPD and its voters.

Pistorius, who has been asked about his candidacy again and again in the past few weeks, emphasized that he had not initiated the debate about himself. "I didn't want her and I didn't get anything into a conversation for anything," he said, adding that the discussions had triggered uncertainty in the party and the voters. "That harms my party, which I've been a member of for 48 years now." Instead, he announced his support for the incumbent Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and called on the party to fight for a second term.

disappointment in the SPD

Pistorius' decision met with disappointment in parts of the SPD parliamentary group. Joe Weingarten, a prominent MP, expressed his regret about the development and asked the party to jointly achieve the best possible election result. "Now the goal must be to achieve the best possible election result for the SPD together and closed," Weingarten told the "Spiegel". Johannes Arlt, who also spoke out for Pistorius as a candidate for chancellor, was also disappointed, but optimistic: "Now we have a decision. That is good for the party and the country."

Pistorius' retreat could change the dynamics within the SPD, while resistance to a new chancellor's candidacy by Olaf Scholz continues to grow. The coming weeks will be decisive to see how the party reacts to these developments and what strategy it will pursue for the Bundestag election.