Klingbeil under pressure: SPD proposes AfD ban – what now?

Klingbeil under pressure: SPD proposes AfD ban – what now?

The SPD party conference took place in Berlin on June 29, 2025, at which Lars Klingbeil was elected chairman with only 64.9 percent of the votes. This result represents the second worst for an SPD leader and is seen as a receipt for the party after the disappointing performance in the federal election and controversial personnel decisions. After election night, Klingbeil was faced with the challenge of reorganizing the SPD and returning to old electorates.

A central point of his agenda is securing jobs in order to win back voters who have migrated to the AfD or the Left. There was not a single word of criticism directed at him during the two-hour party conference, despite his controversial ideas, including a budget with increased spending on security and defense, which met with mixed reactions internally.

New basic program and AfD ban procedure

In his speech, Klingbeil announced the development of a new basic program, the development of which is scheduled to take two years. He emphasizes the need to shape this process in close discussion with the party base and citizens in order to collect fresh ideas. In addition to these substantive questions, a far-reaching discussion about the AfD is also on the agenda. The delegates voted unanimously in favor of preparing an AfD ban procedure.

A motion from the party executive committee to set up a federal-state working group was passed to compile evidence of the AfD's unconstitutionality. Klingbeil describes fighting the AfD as a “historic task”. He emphasized the importance of using the assessments of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a basis for the argument.

Disagreement in the coalition and skeptical voices

However, there is disagreement within the coalition about the proposed ban procedure. While the SPD advocates a legal approach, the CDU rejects such an approach and favors a political fight against the AfD. Voices from East Germany express particular concerns that a ban could even strengthen the AfD. CDU politician Steffen Bilger drew attention to the high legal hurdles that must be overcome for successful proceedings before the Federal Constitutional Court.

Such a procedure requires proof that a party is aggressively attacking the basic democratic order. A report from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution alone is not enough to prove that a party is unconstitutional. The new working group will therefore play a crucial role in gathering the necessary evidence.

Overall, the SPD under the leadership of Lars Klingbeil sees itself as being challenged not only to reinvent itself internally, but also to find a powerful response to the AfD's strengthening externally. The coming months will show whether the party can achieve its desired goals and whether the measures outlined by Klingbeil will take effect.