Weil sees BSW as a "stab in the flesh" of the SPD
Voter appreciation for Sahra Wagenknecht's BSW seems to exceed what the SPD can offer, according to Lower Saxony's Minister-President Stephan Weil. He sees the BSW as a serious threat to the SPD and urges his party to address it. "The BSW is a thorn in the SPD's side," Weil told Stern. "We must react to this." Wagenknecht, the party founder and namesake, is currently serving as a projection surface for many people who feel unrepresented by politics. "This is a clear signal with the fence post to the SPD," Weil added.
However, Weil harbors doubts about the sustainability of the BSW's success. "Sahra Wagenknecht is just spinning her wheels," Weil said. "I haven't been able to identify the programmatic core of her yet." Moreover, she does not really distance herself from xenophobic currents. A coalition between the SPD and BSW is a skeptical proposition, especially at the federal level. There, Weil sees "huge discrepancies," such as in German Ukraine policy.
Weil outlined his vision for a politics that could bring the SPD success. He advocates for a minimum wage of €15 and urges his party to make wage policy the focus of the upcoming federal election campaign. "We are the party of labor, and this must be clear," he said. "When we talk about differences between wages and transfer payments, the height of the minimum wage is also decisive."
"Social-Check" for climate protection measures
Under the current coalition conditions, a "pure SPD" in labor issues is not possible, "even though many would like it," Weil said about the voter drift of workers. "A goal of the SPD must therefore be to show a much sharper profile here again."
To be more present for the "working middle class," as the SPD has positioned itself after the EU election, Weil proposes a "Social-Check" for climate protection measures. "So that we know who we are imposing burdens on and, on the other hand, how excessive burdens can be prevented," Weil said. "We cannot afford subsidies with a ladle. But tangible support for those who really need it, we must certainly provide."
Weil plans to step down as Minister-President of Lower Saxony in 2027 but does not intend to hand over his position early to a successor. He finds the role enjoyable. "But of course, I know that I'm not getting younger," he said. "That's why 2027 is the end." Weil declined to comment on his potential successor. The SPD in Lower Saxony has many capable people, the Minister-President said. "Boris Pistorius would also be a good Minister-President of Lower Saxony," Weil replied to a related question. However, he believes "that we have lost him to federal politics." Pistorius is Federal Defense Minister and the most popular politician in the state.
Stephan Weil acknowledges the significant appeal of Sahra Wagenknecht's BSW, stating, "The BSW is a thorn in the SPD's side," and he urges his party to respond to this challenge. Additionally, Weil advocates for raising the minimum wage to €15 and making it a key focus in the upcoming federal election campaign, emphasizing, "We are the party of labor, and this must be clear."
