SPD Leaders Criticize Merz After Berlin and State Elections

After state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in late September 2026, SPD politicians are openly criticizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister-President Manuela Schwesig, a Social Democrat, sharply attacked Merz's course and called for a reform summit with him and the state premiers. She is also positioning herself against Merz on reforms and has moved more into the spotlight within the SPD after the election.

Other SPD figures are also speaking out. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil called for a procedure to ban the AfD and indirectly criticized Merz. In Berlin, the SPD's deputy leader is open to talks about a red-green-red coalition, while doubts are growing among the Greens about such an alliance. The SPD's national leadership, including Klingbeil, is under pressure, with a deadline reportedly set for them.