After a farewell from politics: Kühnert justifies resignation with fear for security

Former SPD general secretary Kevin Kühnert justified his retreat from politics even with growing concern for his personal security. “My red line is where violence is in the air. I’m only 1.70 meters tall,” he told the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”.

In October 2024, the Berliner surprisingly resigned as Secretary General and had not run again in the Bundestag election. At that time he cited health problems as the reason.

Threats and attacks

With the “Zeit” Kühnert now spoke about various threats and attacks that he had experienced in appearances as a politician and also in his private life. And others in a tram with three men: “You talked about how you polish my face.”

According to “Zeit”, Kühnert was also concerned about the social indifference to growing violence against politicians. “I did not get out of politics because I’m afraid of a few neo -Nazis. But because I have increasingly doubts about defense.”

“Die Zeit”: Kühnert fell in love with FDP member

In the past, as part of the majority society in Dresden, he took the street against right -wing extremists, said Kühnert. “Today it is different. Today there is a parliamentary arm for all of this that gets a lot of encouragement.”

The “ZEIT” also writes that Kühnert fell in love with a “man with a FDP party book” a few years ago and recognized the relationship how important the respectful dealings with politically different people were. “It takes constant awareness that the political opponent could also be right,” said Kühnert. This ability has forgotten society.

Kühnert does not rule out return

Kühnert does not rule out a return to politics: “I did not get out because I found it all ridiculous or superfluous,” he emphasized.