Overview

• Franz Müntefering accused Oskar Lafontaine of triggering the SPD’s long decline after resigning all party posts in 1998.
• He said Lafontaine’s departure “systematically destroyed” the party’s government credibility and set it on a downward trajectory.
• During a ZDF Markus Lanz interview he warned that Europe now faces serious dangers, including the risk of war.
• Lars Klingbeil’s re-election with just 64.9 percent backing underscored deep rifts within the party leadership.
• His intervention has reignited discussion over the SPD’s future direction and the need for leadership unity.