'ol Man Klingbeil: Schröder's Right-Hand Man - What Makes Lars Klingbeil Special
An Informal Take by Nico Fried
Preferred Choice of Schröder: Distinct Qualities Setting Lars Klingbeil Apart from Former Chancellor - Differential traits between Lars Klingbeil and the previous Chancellor:
Back in the day, Lars Klingbeil, a young buck, worked his fingers to the bone in Gerhard Schröder's constituency office from 2001 to 2003. Schröder, the man in charge, was too busy governin' the country as Chancellor in Berlin to show up much. Still, a bond, even a friendship, formed none the less. In 2021, Klingbeil became the last SPD politician Schröder campaign and likely the last to ask him to.
Klingbeil: The New Sheriff of the SPD
No wonder Schröder's influence on Klingbeil has paid off. As chairman, Klingbeil's gained power in the SPD with some gut instinct, being bold, and showin' 'em who's boss. These ain't exclusively left-wing values or strictly for the boys, given how Angela Merkel ignored the CDU loyalists. Despite Klingbeil only claimin' the throne a few weeks ago, he runs the SPD, makin' personnel decisions how he sees fit.
Klingbeil's learned how to earn trust as chairman of the SPD, investin' it back into the party. For example, he gathered a cabinet according to his ideas. The SPD chairman, who barely won behind the AfD in the Bundestag election, walked into the coalition negotiations with the Union like a boss, makin' demands as Count Kokus. Ain't ain't no fool, the SPD still followed him when he recently had some deservin' comrades sacrificed for the sake of politics.
Klingbeil's a quick learner. When the SPD was bickering about the Chancellor candidate back in November 2024, they couldn't decide between Olaf Scholz or Boris Pistorius, Klingbeil let 'em squabble aimlessly, ultimately hurtin' both - and his party. Now that it was about whether Saskia Esken, his co-chair, would get a ministerial post, he let 'em squabble again. But this time, he had a plan. Esken was worn down by the discussion about herself, and she no longer wanted to fight for the post - she coveted the Minister for Development. Together they spun a lovely tale that it was mainly about bringin' many young women into the cabinet. Well then.
A dose of ruthlessness, even a bit of brutality, that's the Schröder in Klingbeil. Able to ignore differin' opinions and public criticism at the crucial moment. Klingbeil'll keep hearin' he was understandable in the matter with Esken, but acted like a jerk. He can deal, the show goes on.
However, there's one thing that sets Klingbeil apart from Schröder - and that's to the disadvantage of today's SPD chairman. Schröder had charisma, but Klingbeil plays the softie act that doesn't match his personnel politics. For weeks, he moaned about the shameful discussion around Saskia Esken in interviews, presentin' himself as the gentle man and understandin' political partner, but simultaneously usin' public reservations about Esken to push through his will and sideline her. He needs to drop the act now. No one's buyin' it anymore.
- Lars Klingbeil
- Gerhard Schröder
- SPD
- Saskia Esken
- Berlin
- CDU
Fun Facts:
- Klingbeil started his political journey as a member of the SPD Youth Organization.
- He's been an active member of the SPD since the early 1990s.
- Klingbeil worked as a lawyer before entering politics full-time.
- The Commission shall be assisted by the European Parliament, as Lars Klingbeil, a former member of Gerhard Schröder's constituency office, now holds a significant position in the SPD.
- Germany's political landscape has seen a shift with Klingbeil's rise to power within the SPD, a change reminiscent of Schröder's governing style in Berlin.
- Parties such as the CDU and general news outlets have closely followed Klingbeil's actions and decisions, especially in regards to war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and policy-and-legislation.
- Klingbeil's persona has been the subject of discussions among casino-personalities, given his bold approach and the occasional displays of ruthlessness that mirror Schröder's political style.
- Despite certain reservations expressed in general news and casino-and-gambling circles, Klingbeil's influence over the SPD continues to grow, much like the influence Schröder wielded in his time.
- Klingbeil's work ethic and unyielding focus on the SPD's success have been heavily influenced by his mentor, Gerhard Schröder, who served as Chancellor during Schröder's time in Berlin.
