The SPD's Chancellor bears resemblance to Joe Biden – who has the authority to challenge this likeness?
The SPD's poor election results are a source of embarrassment. The end of the Chancellorship is starting to loom in Berlin. The SPD realizes that running with Scholz in 2025 would be a disaster. There's increasing talk of a leadership overhaul, similar to what happened in the USA. Who will be the SPD's equivalent of Kamala Harris?
The SPD has sunk even lower than the 5% threshold they barely managed to maintain in Thuringia. In Saxony, they're stagnating at around 7%. General Secretary Kevin Kühnert can only be relieved that they managed to stay in parliament. However, for this traditional party, it's a sign of failure. Olaf Scholz is largely to blame for this. Three-quarters of Germans view him as weak, his coalition has failed, his popularity is waning, and he's perceived as a leader of decline.
The SPD leadership acknowledges that this debacle isn't just a referendum on the coalition government, but also on Scholz. They suspect they can't win the next federal election with a heavily damaged Scholz. Not even the talented party leader Lars Klingbeil could pull off a victory with the best marketing campaign. Private meetings are now taking place among the leadership to find a different Chancellor candidate for the SPD. Someone who can tell Scholz that his situation mirrors Joe Biden's in the spring. Unfortunately, with this candidate, the party would be heading for disaster.
In secret conversations, Social Democrats are boosting their morale by discussing the possibility of a "Kamala Harris moment". With a new, fresh candidate, they believe they have a chance to turn things around. However, convincing Scholz to step down as a candidate for the next year will be a challenge. In the U.S., Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and George Clooney managed to persuade a battered and obviously too old Joe Biden to step down. In the SPD, Lars Klingbeil, Rolf Mützenich, and Stephan Weil will have to convince their Chancellor of the reality of the situation.
Beyond Pistorius
Whether this plan works depends on who could step into the role of Kamala Harris for Germany. Three names are being discussed. The most obvious choice is Boris Pistorius. Defence Minister Pistorius is Germany's most popular politician, capable of gathering a center-majority, a straight talker, and thus the most frequently mentioned option. However, Pistorius isn't well-liked within his own party and is viewed with skepticism by the left. Some consider him a "lone wolf" - a solo player. Moreover, Pistorius is already 64 years old, just as old as the 66-year-old Chancellor.
The second candidate is Stephan Weil. Since 2013, he has been a respected Minister President of Lower Saxony and holds the SPD's last stronghold in a large area. Unlike Pistorius, Weil has broad support within the party and could appeal to a wide range of voter segments due to his conciliatory, humorous, down-to-earth manner. Weil is said to have a better ear for the people than Scholz and Pistorius. However, Weil is also 65 years old and lacking in federal-level political experience. He also has smaller scandals in his past.
A man for all wings
Therefore, the third option for the SPD is particularly appealing: Lars Klingbeil. As SPD chairman, he could potentially achieve a "Kamala Harris effect" due to his youth - he's only 46. He has skillfully united the party, allowing both the left and centrist wings to flourish. Compared to the overwhelmed Saskia Esken and the still-learning General Secretary Kevin Kühnert, Klingbeil appears as the shining light of the SPD leadership.
Klingbeil is a shrewd strategist and strong campaigner, exuding credibility even in informal settings like "Inas Nacht" or on stage with a guitar. Unlike others, Klingbeil is not tainted by the 'traffic light' (Ampel) coalition. He could credibly symbolize a fresh start. In short, Lars Klingbeil is the SPD's Kamala Harris-style game-changer.
The SPD is considering a leadership overhaul, with talks of finding a new Chancellor candidate similar to Kamala Harris in the USA. They believe a fresh, youthful candidate like Lars Klingbeil could have a "Kamala Harris effect" and help turn the party's fortunes around.
Despite Boris Pistorius being a popular figure with center-majority support, his age and skepticism within the party make him a less viable option for the SPD. On the other hand, Stephan Weil, with his broad support within the party and conciliatory demeanor, could appeal to a wide range of voter segments, but his lack of federal-level experience and past scandals are concerns.
