SPD Faces Leadership Turmoil as Calls for Esken's Resignation Intensify

Prominent party members advocate for Lars Klingbeil to take sole leadership, citing the need for a stronger public image after electoral setbacks.

Saskia Esken, SPD Co-Chair, is under mounting pressure to resign following the party's poor performance in the February 2025 federal election, where it garnered only 16.4% of the vote.
Thomas Jung, Mayor of Fürth, and former Bundestag member Dagmar Freitag have publicly criticized Esken, questioning her leadership effectiveness and public appeal.
Critics argue that Lars Klingbeil, the current Co-Chair, should assume sole leadership to unify the party and improve its public standing.
The SPD's dual leadership model, introduced in 2019, is facing scrutiny, with detractors claiming it has not benefited the party's stability or electoral success.
Esken has acknowledged the need for personnel changes, with key decisions expected at the party congress this summer.