The SPD Presidium supports the deployment of US missiles
When the federal government announced the deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany, there was particularly strong discontent within the Chancellor's party. Prominent Social Democrats publicly expressed their incomprehension. Now the party leadership is taking a stance.
The SPD leadership supports the deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany. A resolution by the presidency states: "As the SPD, we take responsibility for ensuring that no child born in Germany today will ever experience war again. The agreement between the SPD-led federal government and the US administration to station US missiles with greater range in Germany from 2026 is an important step in this direction."
At the NATO summit in July, the White House and the federal government announced that the US wants to station weapons systems in Germany again that reach far into Russia. Named were Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons. Chancellor Olaf Scholz argued that the weapons serve as a deterrent and that the aim is to prevent war.
However, not all Social Democrats saw it that way. The SPD parliamentary group leader, Rolf Mützenich, warned of the risk of military escalation. The SPD member of the Bundestag, Ralf Stegner, spoke out against further armament. The former SPD chairman, Norbert Walter-Borjans, called for the issue to be discussed within the party and in the Bundestag.
"Room for Dialogue" opened
The resolution by the SPD presidency now emphasizes that the deployment of weapons is not a confrontational build-up, but a strengthening of Germany's defense and the alliance capability of NATO and the EU with weapons systems that Russia has had for years. "The planned weapons will be equipped with conventional warheads and stationed in existing US military facilities in western Germany. Nuclear armament of the systems is not planned."
SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil had already defended the plans for the deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany a few days ago. He also explained that the federal government should explain better what it is about. The presidency resolution now states that the SPD will create room for dialogue with members and citizens in the coming weeks and months. The Bundestag will also comprehensively deal with the issue after the parliamentary summer break.
The European Union has expressed its concerns about the deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany, as it could potentially escalate tensions with Russia. In response to this, the SPD leadership emphasized that the deployment is not a confrontational build-up, but a strengthening of NATO and the EU's defense capabilities with conventional warheads, aligning with existing weapons systems used by Russia.
