Kevin Kühnert Becomes Lobbyist – And Takes Aim at His Own Party
The former SPD Secretary General has a new job. He wants to fight for citizens' interests – even against his own party. What this means, explained simply.
Want more details? 📖 Read the full in-depth version.
From SPD Secretary General to lobbyist: Kühnert has a new job.
🇬🇧🇺🇸 Quick Context
Kevin Kühnert was the rising star of Germany's SPD (Social Democrats) – think AOC but with actual party power. He famously called for nationalizing BMW. The SPD is like UK Labour or US Democrats (moderate wing).
📌 What Happened
Kevin Kühnert used to be one of the most important people in Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD). He was Secretary General – basically the CEO of the party. In October 2024, he quit because he was burned out and sick.
Now he has a new job: He's working for an organization called "Finanzwende" (Financial Turn). This is a group that fights against big banks and financial corporations. They believe the finance industry has too much power and ordinary citizens get left behind.
🔑 The Key Points
- Kühnert now works for the citizens' movement "Finanzwende"
- He said: "I won't spare party friends either" – meaning he'll also criticize the SPD
- The FDP (liberal party) is angry and calls him a "populist"
- The SPD is nervous – because Kühnert knows all their secrets
🤷 What's a Lobbyist?
A lobbyist tries to influence politicians. Usually, lobbyists work for corporations or business associations. They try to shape laws so their clients benefit.
Kühnert is now also a lobbyist – but for a different side. He wants to fight for ordinary citizens, not for banks or corporations. Finanzwende campaigns for things like prosecuting tax fraud and stricter bank controls.
💣 His Explosive Statement
Kühnert was on a major talk show and made a clear announcement: "I won't spare party friends either."
This means: If the SPD does something he thinks is wrong, he'll publicly criticize them. This is a problem for SPD leadership. Kühnert is famous and has many fans. When he attacks the SPD, lots of people listen.
Kühnert wants to be a counterweight to the powerful finance industry.
😡 Why Is the FDP Angry?
Germany's liberal FDP doesn't like Finanzwende. They say it's people who fight against the economy and want to harm Germany. FDP politician Bijan Djir-Sarai called Kühnert a "populist" – that's an insult in politics.
Kühnert disagrees: He says the finance industry has so much money for lobbyists that ordinary citizens have no chance. That's why people like him need to fight back.
🏥 Why Did He Quit Before?
Kühnert was sick. He openly said the stress as SPD Secretary General became too much. He was physically and mentally exhausted.
On the talk show, he looked recovered. Maybe the break did him good. Maybe he also feels freer because he can now say what he thinks – without having to consider the party.
🇩🇪 What It Means for German Politics
The SPD now has a former top politician who could attack them from outside. That's uncomfortable. Kühnert knows all the internal processes, he knows how decisions are made.
If the government makes a law that Kühnert thinks is bad for citizens, he'll say so. And the media will listen.
🔍 The Bottom Line
Kühnert is betting there's "good lobbying" – fighting for citizens against powerful banks. The SPD leadership is nervous. Their former star player now sits on the opposite bench, and he knows all their plays.