Saxony SPD's preference for candidate for chancellor unclear

Olaf Scholz or Boris Pistorius: the Saxon SPD seems undecided on the question of chancellor. When asked, only one of the party's 13 sub-districts responded, and the party headquarters in Dresden is also keeping quiet. According to the Görlitz sub-district, preferences and the mood among comrades differed widely.

There are quite a few, however, "who find it hard to imagine changing the candidate so close to an election date, especially the current chancellor," explained Harald Prause-Kosubek, co-chair of the Görlitz district association. Others would point out that there is neither automatism nor a valid decision on the so-called K-issue.

Co-Chair: Where do high approval ratings for Pistorius come from?

"The so-called right of access has long been controversial and has also been rejected several times in the party's history; just take the decision of the two federal chairpersons Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans not to stand as candidates in 2021," said Prause-Kosubek. As far as Pistorius is concerned, he sometimes wonders where his high approval ratings actually come from: "He has comparatively little to show in terms of the chancellor."

The Görlitz co-chairman finds his district association "torn" and includes himself. "We would probably have a better chance in a direct duel with Merz if Pistorius were the candidate." If the election date had remained at the end of September, a "slice-by-slice dismantling of Olaf Scholz would have been a logical consequence. At least we will be spared this."

Prause-Kosubek himself wants to stand as a direct candidate for Görlitz if his district association agrees. His opponent there will be the AfD national leader Tino Chrupalla. "My comrades and I will be focusing all our attention on this. The question of "Scholz or Pistorius" will only move us marginally."

Party leadership conference call

The SPD base nationwide is also divided on who should now enter the campaign ring for the party in the upcoming federal elections on February 23. A telephone conference with the SPD leadership is planned for the evening. Party leaders Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken, General Secretary Matthias Miersch and the deputy party leaders are to take part in the meeting.