SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert took a shot at former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder at a celebration event for the Bremen SPD, who will be turning 80 years old on Sunday. Kühnert mentioned that he would be attending a social democratic birthday party this week, only to realize later that Schröder also had a birthday celebration coming up. The relationship between Kühnert and Schröder has been strained, with the SPD criticizing Schröder’s ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Schröder has criticized the party leadership. A birthday celebration organized by Schröder’s wife is planned for the end of the month in Berlin.
The rift between former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and the SPD leadership continues to deepen, with Kühnert making it clear at the Bremen SPD anniversary celebration that he has not received an invitation to Schröder’s birthday party. Kühnert recently stated in an interview that he will not be congratulating Schröder on his birthday, criticizing Schröder’s failure to speak out against Putin’s actions in Ukraine. The disagreement between Schröder and the party leadership has been ongoing for more than two years, with Schröder continuing to maintain close ties with Putin despite international concerns.
The controversial relationship between Gerhard Schröder and Vladimir Putin has led to tensions within the SPD, as the party seeks to distance itself from Schröder’s pro-Russian stance. While Schröder and Putin have maintained a close relationship for years, the party leadership has been critical of Schröder’s failure to condemn Russia’s actions. Kühnert’s comments at the Bremen SPD anniversary event highlight the ongoing conflict between Schröder and the party, with Kühnert choosing to make a statement by not attending Schröder’s birthday celebration.
As Gerhard Schröder approaches his 80th birthday, the divide between him and the SPD leadership shows no signs of healing. Despite his significant contributions to the party in the past, Schröder’s close ties to Putin have put him at odds with the current party leadership. The decision by Kühnert to publicly criticize Schröder’s stance on Russia further underscores the growing dissent within the party ranks over the former Chancellor’s controversial relationships.
The upcoming birthday celebration for Gerhard Schröder organized by his wife is a point of contention within the party, with Kühnert using the occasion to emphasize his disapproval of Schröder’s actions. The decision by Kühnert not to attend the celebration reflects the wider rift between Schröder and the SPD leadership, as the party continues to grapple with internal divisions over its stance on Russia. The ongoing conflict between Schröder and the SPD leadership highlights the challenges facing the party as it seeks to navigate a path forward amidst growing tensions within its ranks.
