Germany's senior Social Democrat Baerbel Bas resigns as labor minister

In a statement to party members, Bas wrote that she had informed Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil that she was stepping down as co-chair of her party effective immediately. She also asked Chancellor Friedrich Merz to relieve her of the Cabinet post she has held since May 2025.

“After the death of my stepdaughter, I came to realize that I need time for the grief period. I want to allow myself sufficient time for this,” Bas said. “In addition, I unfortunately have to note that the public attacks on me, unfortunately also from the ranks of the coalition partner, have been intensified in this personally difficult time for me.”

The dual resignation removes a strong figure from both the government and SPD leadership at a time when the governing coalition of Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU alliance and the center-left SPD continues work on social and labor reforms. Bas had earlier canceled public appearances for family reasons in late September.

Bas, 58, served as president of the German parliament from 2021 until March 2025. She was elected SPD co-leader alongside Klingbeil last year and was serving as labor and social affairs minister since May 2025. In recent months, she faced criticism from some CDU/CSU figures over the pace of social reforms, including calls for her resignation from within the coalition partner.