Federal Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas does not want to run as a candidate for chancellor in the 2029 federal election. On the question of starwho SPD-Being a candidate for chancellor, Bas replied: “That’s a bit early. Not me.” Bas has been co-chair of the since June 2025 SPD and leads the party together with the Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil.
Bas also called for a sharper political profile for her party. “The diffuseness is the reason why people tell me that they no longer know what the SPD stands for,” she said. “We want to change that again.” Many SPD voters are disappointed because they get the impression that the party cares about many small groups, but no longer cares about the big picture and its core electorate. “The SPD must become clearer and take a clearer position,” said Bas. Secure jobs, economic recovery and an efficient welfare state would be the “top priority”.
Bas warns of “old camels” when retiring
Bas also reiterated her call for structural pension reform. With regard to the recently appointed pension commission, she said: “I expect it to make a bold proposal and not just come with old ideas.” It shouldn’t just be about “working until you’re 70 and skipping early retirement.” She wants a “structural reform”. pension to reach. “It really takes courage – and I have it.” However, for the reform to succeed, the SPD and the Union would have to “move towards” each other.
