Scholz’s SPD, on the other hand, is polling third with 16 percent, just behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and down 10 percentage points since the 2021 election.
According to Spiegel, SPD members of the Bundestag in a recent meeting joined local and regional politicians in voicing doubts over Scholz’s chances to succeed and called for Pistorius to step in.
The comments were made on Tuesday at a meeting of the Seeheimer Kreis (Seeheim Circle), a conservative wing of the SPD which claims to be aiming at “a modern and pragmatic policy,” the German newspaper reported. Before the meeting of the entire parliamentary group, the Seeheimers met for their traditional lunch, where they discussed current political issues, it said.
Most of those present expressed great doubts that the SPD could achieve a respectable result with Scholz, according to Spiegel, while some expressly wished they would rather go into the election with Pistorius.
Lawmaker Joe Weingarten from Rhineland-Palatinate was particularly critical. Scholz is “out of favor” with the people in the state, he was quoted as saying at the meeting.
This applies deep into the SPD local groups and will not change, said Weingarten, whose comments were confirmed to Spiegel by participants. The change to Pistorius must come, otherwise the federal election in February will be a “disaster,” he was also quoted as saying.
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