Berlin, October 12th, 2026 (The Berlin Spectator) – Bärbel Bas has announced her immediate resignation as Germany’s labor minister and as chair of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The 58-year-old said in a statement that she currently lacked the strength to fully carry out her government and party duties on short notice. “I have decided to give up both offices”, she wrote.
According to German-language media reports, Alexander Schweitzer is to take over the Labor Ministry. He previously served as the SPD’s Minister President (governor) in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Bas wrote that Klingbeil was already informed of her decision. She also asked Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU to release her from office.
Intensified Attacks
Bas explained her move by pointing first to her stepdaughter’s death. She said she needed time to come to terms with her grief and wanted to take enough of it. At the same time, she said, public attacks on her had intensified during this difficult period, “unfortunately also from the ranks of the coalition partner.”
In recent weeks, politicians from the CDU and its Bavarian sister party CSU had sharply criticized Bas. They accused her of not presenting draft legislation for planned reforms quickly enough, for example on pensions. Some even claimed she was delaying and blocking the reforms.
In her statement, Bas thanked the staff at the Labor Ministry. They deserve strong leadership, she wrote, one that drives forward upcoming laws and reforms at full strength. She also thanked the SPD leadership. Bas will remain a member of the Bundestag.
Personal Level
Klingbeil, who is also vice chancellor, said he was saddened by her decision. “Behind the offices, we are all just human beings”, he said, adding that he can understand her step on a personal level. He described the attacks on her during the final days of her mourning as indecent. “That is not appropriate”, Klingbeil said.
SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch said Bas had shown backbone even when things became uncomfortable. “But strength is finite”, he added.