German Social Democrats debate future direction and leadership

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is holding internal discussions about its future course and leadership. Party co-chair Bärbel Bas has warned against cuts to the social welfare system, calling such proposals a 'wrecking ball' for social policy.

The party is also beginning a process to create a new foundational policy program. Meanwhile, there is public debate about whether Lars Klingbeil or Bärbel Bas should lead the party forward, and the SPD's parliamentary group has proposed nationalizing the German railway's security service.