Overview

• Saskia Esken has formally announced she will not seek re-election as SPD co-chair at the party congress in June, citing internal and external pressures.
• Bärbel Bas, currently Germany's Labour Minister and former Bundestag President, is set to succeed Esken alongside Lars Klingbeil as co-chair.
• Esken condemned media coverage of her departure, calling it a 'public hunt' and highlighting perceived gender biases in political scrutiny.
• Lars Klingbeil has consolidated his position within the SPD as Vice Chancellor, Finance Minister, and co-chair, raising concerns among some party factions.
• The leadership change reflects ongoing debates about generational renewal and ideological balance within Germany's center-left SPD.