SPD leadership resigns; special party congress to elect new board mid-January

Bärbel Bas has resigned as SPD chair, prompting a full executive board re-election at a special party congress on January 16-17. Co-chair Lars Klingbeil is also stepping down, marking a leadership vacuum in Germany's ruling party. The timing and slate of successors remain uncertain, which could affect coalition stability ahead of the 2025 federal election.