- Woidke places confidence in victory – possibility of succession even in defeat made available
Dietmar Woidke, serving as the nation's leader for a decade, aims to maintain power, but only under one condition. The Minister-President of Brandenburg wishes to hinder the AfD's triumph in the forthcoming state election on September 22nd and will persist in his role if his SPD emerges victorious. However, in the event of a defeat, potential successors are yet to be determined. Two prominent figures, alongside a potential male successor, are considered as potential contenders.
"We are not living in a royal court - and the Brandenburg SPD is not a 'one-man-show'", clarified Woidke during a joint event by "Potsdamer Neuesten Nachrichten" and "Tagesspiegel". "We will examine internally to identify who can continue guiding the nation and leading the SPD ahead." He avoids succession discussions.
Woidke opposes the AfD
"My primary objective is to prevent individuals with alleged right-wing extremist tendencies from regaining political influence in this country", stated Woidke, denouncing the AfD, classified as a right-wing suspect by Brandenburg's constitutional protection. In a new campaign on Facebook and Instagram, the SPD cautions against "right-wing extremists": "If bald, then Woidke".
The 62-year-old is widely renowned as Brandenburg's most celebrated politician, according to a survey conducted by Infratest dimap for RBB in July. Despite the Traffic Light Government's criticism and the SPD's poor national polling results, Woidke intends to campaign extensively without Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
AfD lead in polls so far
Whether the SPD will emerge as the frontrunner or second place is uncertain. In the polls thus far, the AfD has led. In the latest survey by Infratest dimap for RBB from last week, the AfD garnered 27%, while the SPD followed closely with 23%. The CDU ranked third with 18%, and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance with 15%. The Left Party reached 4%, and the BVB/Free Voters ranked 3%. Both parties fell below the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation. Direct mandates, however, could still yield entry into the state parliament.
Finance Minister Katrin Lange, Woidke's deputy within the state SPD, stands as a likely contender for a successor. She sat beside him at the SPD Brandenburg summer festival. The Prignitzer is outspoken: She advocated for a "Bild" newspaper talk show boycott in the early part of September in response to SPD chairperson Saskia Esken and general secretary Kevin Kühnert, remarking, "That's enough now. The impression is disastrous - and it's not just in the east."
Two "crown princesses" ...
Following the Constitutional Court's dismissal of Brandenburg's aid package regulations, she confidently declined the AfD faction's demand for her dismissal: "You can forget about that. I'm from the Prignitz. I won't allow myself to be provoked." Within the SPD, she possesses the best chances.
Science Minister Manja Schulze is also viewed as a possible successor to Woidke. After nearly five years in government, she can boast a remarkable track record: The new Potsdam synagogue managed to open despite years of disagreements among Jewish communities due to her negotiating skills. Moreover, the Medical University of Brandenburg gained national recognition in a relatively short time.
... and a "crown prince"
Rumors suggest that Daniel Keller might ascend to the position as Crown Prince. The judoka assumed the SPD's parliamentary group leadership in the state parliament from Erik Stohn in 2021, who claimed he was not forced to relinquish his position. Keller has successfully united the faction behind him. When asked about succession, the three potential heirs remain silent. All three are also front-runners in the election.
If the SPD triumphs over the AfD in the election, as they did five years ago, it would represent a significant setback for the Social Democrats, who have held continuous power in the state since 1990, with varying partners. The SPD would have to re-evaluate themselves before potentially engaging in negotiations for a new government. Since no other party wishes to form a coalition with the AfD, the government formation would then depend on the second strongest party.
Greens: SPD "not prepared"
Green top candidate Benjamin Raschke criticizes SPD for failing to address the succession debate properly. "What we're seeing is that the SPD is not prepared", said Raschke. This undermines them.
Potsdam political scientist Jan Philipp Thomeczek saw Woidke's connection of his political future to an election victory as strategic. "He knows he's more popular than his own party."
After expressing his opposition to the AfD, Dietmar Woidke utilizes social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to caution against right-wing extremists, using a campaign slogan "If bald, then Woidke."
With the election fast approaching, potential successors to Woidke are being considered within the SPD, including Finance Minister Katrin Lange and Science Minister Manja Schulze, both of whom have impressive records in their respective roles.
