“When someone centralizes all power, they inevitably take on full responsibility for any failures,” said a member of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), speaking anonymously about internal dynamics. In the past, party co-leader Lars Klingbeil could deflect blame for setbacks—often pointing to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s lack of popularity, the SPD lawmaker noted. “But now,” the source added, “it’s Klingbeil who has to deliver.”
On the Brink
Klingbeil’s journey into politics began far from the corridors of power. Raised in the northern town of Munster—a prominent military hub—he was the son of a soldier and a retail worker. Despite the military environment, Klingbeil rejected its rigid hierarchy and was one of the few young men in his class to opt out of compulsory military service.
Instead, his youth was steeped in music. He played guitar in various rock bands, including one whimsically named Pflaumenmus (“Plum Jam”), and once quipped that he dreamed of being a punk rock star, “but no one else was on board with that plan.” Today, guitars still hang in his home and office, and he describes playing as a form of meditation.
“Overall, he’s a very friendly, sociable guy,” said Ralf Stegner, a veteran SPD lawmaker who has known Klingbeil for more than 20 years.
Klingbeil went on to become the first in his family to attend university, studying political science in Hannover. During a formative internship at an SPD-linked foundation in New York City, he found himself in Manhattan during the September 11 attacks—an event he later said sparked a lifelong interest in security issues.
He entered the Bundestag at just 27 years old, sporting an eyebrow ring—a look that would eventually disappear as he rose through the ranks. His ascent was fueled by an unusual combination of traits: personable and persuasive, yet strategic and, when necessary, a shrewd power player, according to SPD insiders who spoke to POLITICO under condition of anonymity.
Those same qualities, said Stegner, can cause Klingbeil to be underestimated. “That’s not the typical style in politics—but it works for him,” he said.
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