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On the evening of November 21, 2024, a gray -cold Thursday, there is a farewell mood in German social democracy.
Your Prime Minister and other top people of the SPD gathered in the Lower Saxony State Representation in the Berlin government district for the traditional “fireplace round” in front of the bunderstuff. A sober room on the ground floor, the curtains attracted.
Olaf Scholz is also there. He terminated the traffic light coalition 15 days ago. There will be new elections, but the short euphoria in the SPD about the FDP’s expulsion has not held. It is more unclear than ever whether Scholz leads the party as the top candidate. Some of those present expect a historical decision that evening: the exchange of the Chancellor candidate, the farewell to Olaf Scholz.
He lifts: “We decided,” the chancellor murmurs so quietly that you can hardly hear him “that I will lead the SPD to the election campaign.” Some hardly trust their ears. Scholz asks for support for unity. A few sentences, nothing more. No cheers, no applause. The turn is a shock. We are starting again with Scholz? Not with Boris Pistorius, the most popular politician? Really?
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Published in Stern 18/2025
Source: Stern

I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.