German Social Democratic leader resigns; opines resignation will contribute to new government

Berlin, February 14: German Social Democratic leader (SPD) Martin Schulz resigned on Tuesday, hoping to end turbulence that has rocked the center-left party since it agreed on a coalition deal with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives.

Schulz’s deputy Olaf Scholz - the Hamburg mayor who is slated to become finance minister in the new government - said he would become caretaker SPD chairman, and the party confirmed that it had recommended parliamentary floor leader Andrea Nahles as Schulz’s longer-term successor.

Schulz said last week he would quit allowing the party to regroup and he recommended Nahles as leader. But expectations that she would take over with immediate effect on a caretaker basis until a party conference triggered resistance as it breached party procedure.

On Tuesday, Schulz said he hoped his decision to resign would result in party members focusing on the coalition treaty rather than personnel issues.

He said he hoped the party could “regain its former strength” under Nahles’ leadership and as part of the German government - if members agreed to that in the upcoming ballot.

“If I can contribute to that by resigning, it will have been worth it,” he said outside the SPD headquarters.

Recently Germany found out the solution to form a new coalition government when the two parties agreed to join the hands. This made a new way for wet soil government of Germany.