Overview
- Wilke formally became an SPD member last Friday and on November 18 notified the caucus that he had joined the party’s state parliamentary group.
- He said the decision is meant to provide clarity and strengthen government stability, emphasizing his commitment to SPD values and the governing alliance.
- SPD leaders welcomed the step, with parliamentary leader Björn Lüttmann praising the move and state chief Dietmar Woidke greeting Wilke publicly on Instagram.
- The announcement comes as the SPD–BSW coalition is under pressure due to a crisis in the BSW parliamentary group.
- A longtime former member of The Left and ex-mayor of Frankfurt (Oder), Wilke became interior minister in May after Katrin Lange resigned, and he denied that the switch is a bid to succeed Woidke.