The recent SPD Federal Party Conference in Berlin marked a significant moment for Germany's Social Democratic Party as it aimed to rejuvenate its leadership and address past electoral shortcomings. The conference, themed "Change Begins with Us," was highlighted by the election of new party leaders. Lars Klingbeil was re-elected as SPD Chairman, albeit with a modest 64.9% of the votes, while Bärbel Bas was appointed as the new Co-Chair, succeeding Saskia Esken.
A primary focus of the conference was the analysis and response to the SPD's historically poor performance in the previous federal elections, where they garnered only 16.4% of the vote. Party discussions centered around regaining public trust by redefining justice and solidarity in the 21st century, with plans to improve organizational structures and communication strategies. The party also emphasized that its programmatic work should extend beyond merely supporting government policies.
Speakers at the conference, including former Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stephan Weil, stressed the importance of reclaiming the SPD's status as a leading people's party. Weil also acknowledged the challenges posed by global threats to democracy and criticized authoritarian tendencies in countries like the USA and Turkey, alongside condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine.
In a reflective moment, former Chancellor Olaf Scholz was applauded for his contributions, and discussions included the SPD's stance against right-wing populism and its commitment to human rights. The conference concluded with a strong call for change, unity, and strategic planning to rebuild the SPD's influence in German politics.
