In the interview, the chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans comments on the alleged SPD hide-and-seek, the candidate Olaf Scholz and possible coalitions.
Munich - In fact, SPD leader Norbert Walter Borjans is not that easy to find so shortly before the federal election.
The man, of whom the Union suspects the SPD is hiding him and other party members to the left of Olaf Scholz, in order not to scare the voters, is on an election campaign tour in Bavaria - but not at the agreed meeting point.
Walter-Borjans is already having lunch in a Greek from Giesingen.
Mr Walter-Borjans, this is where the SPD is hiding you from the voters ...
Walter-Borjans
: Yes, somewhere different every day.
And it's a lot of fun to be in new marketplaces in every hiding place and to advertise the better candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Incidentally, when I come to Rhineland-Palatinate tomorrow, I'll have performed several times in all federal states.
So much to hide.
In fact, however, it is noticeable that you, Saskia Esken or Kevin Kühnert recently seem to agree on all points with your candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
You fought hard against him as a possible party leader.
Walter-Borjans
: Our strength today is precisely the result of this fair competition for party leadership.
That strengthened and united the party.
Olaf Scholz not only always stood for the values of the SPD.
He also implemented them as Federal Minister of Labor and First Mayor of Hamburg.
The fact that we harmonize so politically and personally is the basis for our doing so well today.
Even if some outsiders can't believe it.
So won't the big dispute over the direction of the SPD begin after the election?
Walter-Borjans
: With the appointment of Olaf Scholz * as candidate for chancellor, Saskia Esken, I and the entire party executive reinforced the conviction that he is the right person to determine the guidelines of government policy and to guarantee them.
This is the chancellor's right under the Basic Law.
On the other hand, not even their own people trust the CDU / CSU's candidate for chancellor to be able to exercise the office with the necessary seriousness and reliability.
How do you conclude that?
Walter-Borjans
: I'm sitting on the coalition committee with CSU boss Markus Söder and experience what's going on on the Berlin stage at the CDU and CSU.
They have the problem that one of them doesn't trust the other.
I also consider Chancellor Armin Laschet to be a risk.
Federal election 2021: SPD leader does not rule out red-red-green coalition
How crazy would we have to be if we let the FDP and CDU / CSU tell us in advance who we could talk to?
SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans
But you need coalition partners to get Scholz up.
How do you convince the FDP that a traffic light is better than Jamaica?
Walter-Borjans
: If we have arithmetical majorities, we will sound out possible partners.
Then you have to see where there are overlaps - but also where there are exclusion criteria.
Can you form a coalition with the left?
Walter-Borjans
: The Left has a number of points in its program * that sound good - but we also have them *, only feasible.
Nevertheless, we will speak to all democratic forces.
How crazy would we have to be if we let the FDP and CDU / CSU tell us in advance who we could talk to?
Markus Söder says: Under red-red-green there would be stones instead of bread for Bavaria.
Is he right?
Walter-Borjans
: That is obviously the last straw to distract from your own deficits.
If the CDU and CSU continue to rule as the dominant force, I would rather be concerned that the nepotism we saw in the mask deals * and the blockade against all transparency would intensify.
Interview: Sebastian Horsch
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