Berlin’s SPD fractures deepen as co-leader loses key list position

A leadership snub shakes Berlin’s SPD just months before the state vote. Can the party heal its rifts—or will infighting derail its campaign?

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2025 November 22 . 8:01 PM

1 min read

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SPD Chairwoman Böcker-Giannini Without List Spot for Berlin Election - Berlin’s SPD fractures deepen as co-leader loses key list position

Berlin’s SPD is facing fresh internal turmoil after co-leader Nicola Böcker-Giannini failed to secure a spot on the party’s regional division for the 2026 state election. The setback marks the second time in two weeks that the party has struggled to unite behind its own leadership.

Böcker-Giannini lost a vote for the third position on the Reinickendorf district list. Instead, she was nominated as the direct candidate for electoral district 3 in the same area. The outcome highlights ongoing divisions within the party.

The SPD’s struggles come at a crucial time, with state elections looming next year. Böcker-Giannini’s failure to secure a list position and Hikel’s withdrawal leave the party with visible internal divisions. The outcome could shape the SPD’s campaign strategy in the months ahead.