General secretary of Social Democratic Party of Germany resigns due to health problems ahead of next year elections

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 

This past Monday Kevin Kühnert stepped down as general secretary of the Social Democratic Party of Germany ahead of a national election in a year citing health problems. He notified the party leadership of his decision, and left a farewell message to party members on his Instagram page.

Kühnert is 35 years old and did not disclose further details of his health.

The Social Democratic Party is the leading party of the government since previous elections in 2021 when Olaf Scholz was elected as Chancellor of Germany -- leader of the country like prime minister or president in other countries.

They fell behind its rivals in European Parliament election earlier this year.

• "A top official with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party quits, a year before the national election" — AP News, October 7, 2024
• DPA International. "General secretary of Germany's Social Democrats resigns over health" — DPA International, October 7, 2024