He was from 1987 to 1991 party chairman of the SPD, following on Willy Brandt. But even today Hans-Jochen Vogel keeps busy with the future of his party. "I advise my party to evaluate the performance of the SPD in this federal government carefully," said the 94-year-old of the "Rheinische Post". "Anyone who wants to go out of the coalition has to ask himself if we could have enforced these measures in opposition to the people."
Vogel praised the candidature of Finance Minister Olaf Scholz for the party presidency. It was "important that even top representatives of the SPD from the government are represented in the candidate field". He also considered the vote on the party presidency as a "vote on the grand coalition," said Vogel. This can not be separated.
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However, he also understands the arguments of the opponents of the grand coalition, "because despite our good content work, we have lost one election after another and now have to fight for our survival," said Vogel.
He praised unlike ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder the determination of the party executive on a dual point. "This is a right and wise decision, because only then will equality be taken seriously - by the way, it was the SPD, which introduced a 40 percent women's quota at the party congress in Münster in 1988," he emphasized.
Recently, he had written a call to the party with eight former party leaders. "The SPD is in a serious crisis," it said. The ex-boss appealed to the members: Be proud of the achievements! Because only those who are convinced of themselves, can convince others. "The SPD will be needed in the future.
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