Dundorf

[TheNick]

Matthias Werner Retires as DSDP Leader, Declines to Seek Fifth Term as Chancellor
March 5706

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Chancellor Werner last week in Bundestag. He is serving as Chancellor since 5690.

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Dunburg - Federal Chancellor Matthias Werner will no longer be the leader of the Social-Democratic Party and will not contest the next Federal Election that will be held in November, effectively retiring from politics. In his announcement on social media last Saturday, Mr. Werner explained that his political cycle has come to a 'natural end' after 16 years in power as the Chancellor and the leader of the largest party. He said that he will not contest the Federal Election and will thus leave the Bundestag this November but he did not rule out seeking election to Karlottenberg Schloss, in the future: "if my party needs me, I'll be there, I am open to run for Federal President. But it's time I pass the torch as a member of Bundestag, party leader and Federal Chancellor".

Chancellor Werner's retirement now opens the succession battle for new leader of the Social-Democratic Party, which is currently suffering in the polls and continues to see a exodus of voters, mostly in favor to parties on its left: the Greens and the Red Front. The next leader will have the task to re-energize the base of the party and be able to recapture some of the support it has lost in these 16 years leading the Federal Cabinet. 

And it's on how to re-energize a party that the clash is happening: a older, more moderate wing of the party insists that the DSDP's role must remain one of moderation and institutionalism, whereas the younger generation of the DSDP demands bolder actions and a more activist approach to Government. Matthias Werner was elected as a Progressive, but as the years progressed he became more of a institutional figure, also due to the shifts in our political system caused by the founding of the Pirate Party that upended the traditional coalition politics and brought more instability.  

The candidates interested in running for Federal Secretary of the DSDP have time until May to present their candidacies to the public, and the internal primary election will take place some time this summer, just in time to prepare and launch the political campaign for this November's election.