EU forecasts deemed "disappointing outcome" by Klingbeil.
As initial findings suggest, the SPD could only garner approximately 14% of the votes - a 2% decrease compared to 2016 and a significant decrease compared to the last federal election in 2021. Kühne remarked, "We'll have to tackle the matter of why we failed to mobilize support."
Barley expressed dismay on ZDF about the absence of a "democracy movement" for the SPD at the start of the year. In addition, the lack of federal political support due to low SPD popularity negatively impacted the party.
In response to the low approval ratings for Olaf Scholz, the SPD's chancellor, Esken stated on ZDF that he had "our trust."
Former SPD chairman, Sigmar Gabriel, encouraged the party to take action. He believed a discussion was necessary concerning the party's flawed political approach. Gabriel said, "We can't just blame circumstances, weather, or the media anymore." The population currently supports the coalition government, Gabriel remarked, stressing that the election results were a "slap in the face" for the traffic light coalition.
General Secretary Kühne exhorted his party to "examine our own shortcomings." Although, he confirmed that this doesn't mean they would "disintegrate and dissolve completely." He emphasized, "We'll return."
Concerning the SPD's position in the traffic light coalition, Kühne acknowledged the challenge. As the strongest force, they are expected to "oversee the coalition's order," but at the same time, voters expect the SPD to "establish a clearer identity." It's difficult to strike a balance between the two, and Kühne identified the upcoming budget discussions as the next test, where the SPD intends to "make its contribution to investing in this nation," ensuring adequate financial resources.
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The EU projections for the SPD in the European elections were also considered "frustrating" by Klingbeil, resulting in a predicted decrease in support. Despite the disappointing outcome, Klingbeil: "We'll return."
The SPD's parliamentary group leader, Lars Klingbeil, pointed out that the Federal election results put pressure on the SPD to establish a stronger identity within the traffic light coalition. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming budget discussions as a test for the coalition, aiming to "make its contribution to investing in this nation."
Klingbeil's calls for self-examination within the SPD were echoed by Kevin Kühnert, who urged the party to "examine our own shortcomings." He assured that this did not mean the party would "disintegrate and dissolve completely," maintaining that the SPD would remain a significant political force in Germany.
Meanwhile, the SPD's poor performance in Berlin during the federal election also had consequences for the party. Former SPD chairman Sigmar Gabriel criticized the party's political approach, stating, "We can't just blame circumstances, weather, or the media anymore."
For the SPD lackluster result in the Federal election, Klingbeil also highlighted the role of external factors, such as ZDF coverage and the absence of a "democracy movement" for the SPD at the start of the year, as barriers to success.
Katarina Barley, who expressed dismay regarding the absence of a "democracy movement" for the SPD at the start of the year on ZDF, also acknowledged the party's low popularity during federal political support. The lack of federal political support due to low SPD popularity negatively impacted the party.
Lastly, Olaf Scholz, the SPD's chancellor, gained initial approval ratings that were favorable, but Esken, a prominent member of the SPD, stated, "He has our trust," on ZDF in response to the initial findings.
