Overview

• Kevin Kühnert, former SPD General Secretary, confirmed that escalating threats and physical attacks, including incidents in Detmold and Halle, led to his resignation in October 2024.
• Initially citing health reasons, Kühnert later clarified that pervasive social media hate and a sense of societal indifference to political violence influenced his decision.
• He described feeling unsafe even during vacations, retreating to remote mountain areas to avoid potential danger.
• Kühnert credited his long-term relationship with an FDP member for reshaping his perspective on political discourse and the importance of respecting opponents.
• While expressing doubts about combating hate and violence, Kühnert did not rule out a future return to politics, emphasizing his continued belief in its significance.