160 years of the SPD: The anniversary is the topic of the "heute journal". When it comes to former Chancellor Schroeder, moderator Slomka has to interrupt her interview guest, SPD leader Mützenich, laughing.
Berlin – Finally a celebratory mood in the SPD. After the recent rather exhausting weeks in the traffic light coalition, marked by the Graichen affair of the Greens and the dilemma surrounding Habeck's heating law, there is once again a reason for the Social Democrats to raise their glasses joyfully. The party is celebrating its 160th birthday these days. On May 23, 1863, the German Workers' Association was founded in Leipzig, from which the SPD later emerged. Today, 160 years later, the party celebrates its remarkable existence for three days.
On the day of the anniversary itself, May 23, 2023, the "heute journal" also decided to honor this special day. Including an interview by moderator Marietta Slomka with SPD parliamentary group chairman Rolf Mützenich. Without critical questions, however, he could not pull himself out of the affair despite the solemn day. Mützenich initially had to put up with questions about the postponed Bundestag deliberation on the planned new heating law. It was only at the end that the conversation turned towards the anniversary – albeit less congratulatory, more critical.
Slomka interviews Mützenich on the SPD anniversary: Former Chancellor Schroeder also a topic in the "heute journal"
In the center: Once again Gerhard Schröder. Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, the ex-chancellor has already shaken his head several times with his closeness to Putin and statements about the brutal crackdown in Ukraine. And although Schroeder is one of four SPD chancellors in Germany, along with Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the 79-year-old was apparently ignored at the celebrations.
"In today's festive speeches, a Social Democratic chancellor was no longer mentioned at all: Gerhard Schroeder," Slomka said critically in an interview with Mützenich. Mützenich played the clueless. He had "not heard at all at these festivities that someone is not mentioned," said the group leader. Referring to the "great tradition" of the party, he stated: "Not every name can be read aloud." A sentence that apparently resonated with ZDF presenter Slomka like a bad joke.
Mützenich in the "heute journal" interview with Marietta Slomka: Suddenly, the presenter had to laugh in disbelief. © Screenshot / ZDF Mediathek
Mützenich dodges Schroeder's question in the "heute journal" – moderator Slomka blows off in surprise
Immediately Slomka interrupted the SPD politician in his remarks. "This is a Federal Chancellor, Mr. Mützenich, a former one. No 'every name'". Laughing, her facial features slipped away a little at Mützenich's statements. However, the SPD leader continued undeterred. One has to pay attention to honoring history, "and not individuals. We consist of one member party, over 400,000. That makes you proud. Many of us do not pay attention to our own sensitivities, so to speak, but to what we achieve with the Social Democratic Party." Mützenich still does not use the name Schroeder.
Meanwhile, Gerhard Schroeder's status as a kind of "persona non grata" in the SPD has intensified in recent weeks. Among other things, there was a great stir when the ex-chancellor celebrated "Victory Day" at the Russian embassy on May 9. His wife, Soyeon Schröder-Kim, even lost her job because of her participation in the festival. However, his misdemeanours were not enough for him to be expelled from the party. In mid-May, the SPD arbitration commission decided that Schroeder could remain in the party. (han)
