Güllner considers Klingbeil's chancellorship "very unlikely"

Berlin – Opinion researcher Manfred Güllner sees SPD leader Lars Klingbeil as a "gifted power technician," but is skeptical of his chances of becoming chancellor. It is "very unlikely that Mr. Klingbeil will one day become chancellor," the head of the Forsa polling institute told the "Tagesspiegel" (Friday edition). "The starting position for the SPD is dramatically bad, worse than ever. Since the formation of the grand coalition, I see no indication of how the SPD could increase its electoral base. On the contrary, it is losing support." Klingbeil is doing "relatively well" in the political rankings, even if he is nowhere near as popular as Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), said Güllner: "He has a certain basic sympathy among the people. But that's not enough. He would also have to be granted the competence to develop political contours. All of that is still missing, despite his new position as Finance Minister." Güllner sees Klingbeil as significantly responsible for the SPD's historic debacle in the federal election in February. "Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz was clearly the wrong decision. Everyone inside and outside the SPD knew that," said Güllner. If Klingbeil "had been concerned about the strength, indeed the very existence, of the SPD, he would have had to push through Pistorius as chancellor candidate." Klingbeil was responsible for Scholz's eventual candidate. "This wrong decision cost the SPD several percentage points; in plain English: Klingbeil squandered power." Furthermore, Klingbeil was responsible for the SPD's co-chair, Saskia Esken, "being able to push herself forward," said Güllner: "He must have been interested in a weak colleague. That seriously damaged the SPD." The SPD's election campaign was "miserable." Güllner accused Klingbeil of having prevented Pistorius from running for chancellor out of his own power drive. "He didn't want a competitor in Pistorius; he pushed him aside because he saw the opportunity to become sole ruler in the SPD. His personal quest for power was successful, but it harmed the SPD," the pollster said. Looking ahead to a future federal election, Güllner said Pistorius was "popular and successful," but Klingbeil was "a gifted power technician." It remains unclear whether the SPD leader would "allow Pistorius to be considered as a candidate for chancellor." He fears that "Klingbeil will not give up his candidacy for chancellor."