Rehlinger and the SPD manifesto: A dispute about peace and politics!

Rehlinger and the SPD manifesto: A dispute about peace and politics!

In the last few days, a position paper within the SPD caused excitement and heated discussions. The manifesto, which was signed by several politicians from the left-wing camp, pushes for a changed course in the Federal Republic's foreign and security policy. Among other things, the signatories are calling for diplomatic talks with Russia and calling for a stop to the stationing of new US medium-range missiles in Germany. Given the upcoming SPD party conference at the end of June, it is clear that opinions within the party differ greatly.

Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger of Saarland and deputy leader of the SPD commented on the positions of the manifesto after she only found out about their content after it was publicly announced. She believes that a debate on peace and security is essential and compares this with the discourses that took place in the 80s, when the peace movement was very active. Rehlinger recognizes that there are different views within the party, even if she personally does not agree with the positions in the manifesto. “There are many peace-loving people in Germany,” she states, emphasizing that all party members should be involved in the debates.

Parts of the SPD are calling for a change in foreign policy

The manifesto proposes a gradual return to diplomatic relations and an intensification of efforts for peace. There is also a need for the armed forces to have defensive equipment that provides protection without creating additional risks. The initiators also attach importance to taking into account the needs of the Global South, particularly with regard to climate protection. An arms race should be avoided in order not to make Germany a target, explain the Stahl Mitte of deutschlandfunk.de.

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has clearly distanced himself from the manifesto's proposals. He states that Russia is responsible for the suffering in Ukraine and that Vladimir Putin could end the war immediately but does not. Klingbeil emphasizes that a turnaround in support for Ukraine is not up for debate. “There is no alternative to military strength coupled with diplomatic efforts,” he adds, and sees the position paper not as a personal attack, but as part of the discussion within the party. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticizes the demands as a “denial of reality” and warns that Putin has sabotaged all diplomatic efforts so far.

What does this mean for the SPD?

With the upcoming party conference between June 27th and 29th, the SPD will face the challenge of finding a balance between the different currents within the party. The initiators of the manifesto, which also include Rolf Mützenich and Ralf Stegner, see their demands as a discussion paper and not an attack on the federal government. They aim for a broad discussion about a new security and foreign policy that takes both national security and global challenges such as climate change into account.

It remains to be seen how the SPD will position itself at its upcoming party conference and whether the different currents in the party can find a consensus course. As Anke Rehlinger concludes, this party conference could be an important opportunity to gain new strength and steer different opinions in a constructive direction.