Klingbeil speaks strongly in favour of reducing Germany's energy dependency on Russia, calling for an acceleration of this path of transformation. But what about China? "Consequences must be drawn now," Klingbeil says. When it comes to sensitive technologies, for example, Germany and Europe must remain independent so as not to become the plaything of Chinese interests in the years ahead, he says. "We don't want to be dependent on authoritarian regimes," he told the guests. -mb

Katrin Rulle

The European Union is crucial when it comes to international security, says Lars Klingbeil, SPD Chairman. He demands that Europe learns geopolitics anew, which also means that joint implementation is necessary of European defence projects. This is also important in order to reduce military dependencies, too, he says. "The transatlantic relationship is stronger than it has been for a long time. But we don't know what will happen in the 2024 elections in the U.S.," Klingbeil said. -ls

Katrin Rulle