Kevin Kühnert made his final appearance in the Bundestag on February 11, 2025, during the legislature's last session before the upcoming elections. The former General Secretary of the SPD delivered poignant remarks aimed at the current political climate, particularly focusing on the CDU's alignment with the far-right AfD party.
Kühnert, who had recently stepped back from politics due to health reasons, used this opportunity to reflect on two decades of social democratic values. His first public appearance since his resignation was marked by applause from his SPD colleagues, many of whom expressed solidarity as he addressed the assembled politicians.
“Opportunität sticht die Integrität,” Kühnert declared, signaling his disapproval of CDU leader Friedrich Merz's approach to governance, particularly his failure to respond adequately to criticism of the CDU's recent collaborations with the AfD. He emphasized the risk this poses for democratic principles within Germany.
Specifically, Kühnert recalled the departure of prominent Jewish commentator Michel Friedman from the CDU, remarking, “Es gab Zeiten, da wäre anschließend in der CDU kein Stein auf dem anderen geblieben, heute wird der Störenfried angestrengt ignoriert.” This pointed across-party criticism highlighted his view on how current leadership had increasingly neglected the historical responsibilities of their roles.
Notably, Kühnert was clear about his criticism. “Nein, Union und FDP sind keine Faschisten, auch nicht klammheimlich,” he stated emphatically. He urged politicians to engage with their constituents genuinely and to uphold principles even when they went against popular sentiment. This remark was met with significant applause from members of the SPD and the Greens.
He reminded the assembly of the historic commitments made by previous leaders during the early years of the Federal Republic, positing, "Die demokratischen Parteien müssen immer den bundesrepublikanischen Grundkonsens verteidigen." He invoked figures like Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl, emphasizing their commitment to democratic values, especially concerning issues related to Jewish life and historical memory.
Throughout his address, Kühnert's tone was both reflective and cautionary. He expressed concern for the growing influence of right-wing populism, reflecting on how the current political discourse seemed to be moving away from protecting vulnerable democratic institutions. “Schützen wir unsere Demokratie!” he implored, calling for vigilance against the erosion of fundamental rights.
Bundestag President Bärbel Bas concluded the session with well-wishes for Kühnert, marking the end of his parliamentary chapter, one completed amid complex and challenging political landscapes.
This farewell speech not only underlined Kühnert’s deep-rooted commitment to social democracy but also served as a reminder of the responsibilities political leaders bear toward preserving democratic integrity and engaging with the historical lessons learned through Germany's past.
Though he exits the political stage for now, his words resonate with warnings for future leaders, advocating for principled governance over mere opportunism—an urgent message as Germany approaches what may be pivotal elections.