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Midyatli to Step Down as Schleswig-Holstein SPD Chair After Kämpfer Wins Membership Vote

A February 2026 special congress will elect a successor to formalize the leadership handover.

Overview

  • Ulf Kämpfer secured 79.76% in the SPD membership vote, defeating Serpil Midyatli, who received 20.24%.
  • The party reported 6,228 participants with 6,157 valid ballots, and the outcome is binding for delegates at the lists party congress.
  • Midyatli told the state board she will relinquish the chair and proposed Kiel mayor Kämpfer as her successor.
  • The North SPD plans to run Kämpfer as lead candidate in 2027 to challenge CDU Minister-President Daniel Günther.
  • Kämpfer, 53, previously served as environmental state secretary under Robert Habeck and has been Kiel’s mayor since 2014, and he does not intend to seek another term in that role.