Candidacy for chancellor: Scholz or Pistorius? K question increasingly open in the SPD

The question of the candidate for chancellor has not yet been decided in favor of Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the SPD. Influential Social Democrats spoke out in this direction, particularly from the North Rhine-Westphalia state association with the largest number of members. Scholz receives support from the party leadership and cabinet members of the SPD. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is significantly more popular in surveys. He does not rule out a candidacy for chancellor in principle, but emphasizes his loyalty to Scholz and explains that the chancellorship does not correspond to his life plans.

In surveys, the SPD is at 15 to 16 percent, the Union with Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz is at least twice as strong. At the same time, in contrast to Scholz, Pistorius is one of the most popular politicians in Germany. A new survey supports this. In the politician ranking, which is compiled weekly by the Insa Institute for “Bild”, Pistorius is at the top. In contrast, Scholz slipped from 19th to 20th and last place, according to the newspaper for the first time.

Two party wings: “A lot of support for Boris Pistorius”

In this mixed situation, a joint statement by the chairmen of the NRW state group in the SPD parliamentary group, Wiebke Esdar and Dirk Wiese, takes on weight. Both are also chairmen of the powerful currents within the SPD faction – Esdar as spokesperson for the Parliamentary Left, Wiese as spokesperson for the conservative Seeheimer Circle. “Ultimately, the party committees decide on the question of the candidate for chancellor, and this is the right place for it,” both explained. There is a debate in the SPD about the best political lineup for the federal election, they admitted. And: “We hear a lot of support for Boris Pistorius.” And Scholz’s reputation is strongly linked to the traffic light coalition, Esdar and Wiese pointed out.

The SPD parliamentary group leader in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, Jochen Ott, is also not making a commitment. “The fact that the SPD has two cabinet members who are expected to become chancellor shows that we are fundamentally well positioned for this election campaign,” said Ott in the “Welt” interview. Juso boss Philipp Türmer also believes the question of the SPD candidate for chancellor has not yet been decided.

Several local politicians as well as two members of the Bundestag, Joe Weingarten and Johannes Arlt, had already taken a clear stance in favor of Pistorius.

Scholz supporters in the party leadership and cabinet

But Scholz also has important advocates such as the two party leaders Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil. Saarland’s Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger, who is also deputy party leader, told the magazine “Stern”: “The SPD is providing the chancellor, that’s a great opportunity. That’s why Olaf Scholz is the natural and right candidate for chancellor.” Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the Editorial Network Germany (RND): “It is clear to me that the Chancellor will be our candidate.” Scholz “led the country carefully and decisively through difficult times of crisis.”

“For me, Olaf Scholz is set,” said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach in the ARD program “Hart aber fair”. The former SPD chairman Martin Schulz, who failed as a candidate for chancellor in 2017, emphasized in the “Rheinische Post”: “The chancellor is the chancellor and is running again as such. I find that logical.”

A no, but from Pistorius

The Federal Minister of Defense could not ignore the K question at an event organized by the Bayern Media Group in Passau in the evening on the subject of “People in Europe”. “In politics you should never exclude anything, no matter what it is about,” said Pistorius, who had also spoken out against exclusionary sentiment at other meetings. At the same time, he praised Scholz, saying he was doing a really good job. “And he said he wanted to move on. That’s the most normal thing in the world.”

“Since, firstly, I am a deeply loyal person, and secondly, my life plan never included becoming Defense Minister or even Federal Chancellor, I will do a damn thing and say to myself: I’ll do it, I’ll run for office now. No, you will Don’t listen to me. I’m a party soldier.” Pistorius added: “That’s not part of my life plan and, to be honest, it doesn’t have to be.”

If necessary, decide in a night meeting

From the perspective of former SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans, the party should no longer take much time to clarify the K question. Walter-Borjans praised Scholz in the “Rheinische Post” for having protected the country from a lot of threats during an extremely difficult time. At the same time, he emphasized: “But it is also true that Merz could only be prevented with a chancellor who muster the strength in the last few meters to make the difference clear in a self-critical and approachable manner. That has been Olaf Scholz’s weak point so far.” Those responsible must now “please decide quickly,” demanded Walter-Borjans, “if necessary in a night meeting.”