SPD Members to Attend Carnival Party Despite Election Disappointment
Despite the less-than-stellar election results for the SPD according to recent polls, a significant number of party members plan to attend a carnival party in Cologne on Sunday. The attendance at the "Lachende Kölnarena" event was organized well before the collapse of the traffic light coalition, stated Claudia Walther, co-chair of the Cologne SPD, to dpa. The news was originally reported by the internet portal "t-online".
Walther reported that approximately 3,000 tickets had been sold to party members, friends, and acquaintances. The "Lachende Kölnarena" typically attracts around 10,000 attendees. The multi-day event features performances by famous bands from the Cologne carnival, including Brings, Bläck Fööss, and Höhner.
Traditionally, Cologne’s SPD members celebrate the day before Altweiber at the "Lachende Kölnarena" under the motto "Närrisches Parlament". However, Walther explained that this date was not available in 2023, leading to the decision last summer to reschedule the event to February 23rd—unaware that the traffic light coalition would collapse and trigger new elections.
The SPD has reserved a private room in the Kölnarena to follow election forecasts and projections starting at 6 p.m. Numerous prominent Cologne SPD members who typically attend the "Närrisches Parlament" will remain in Berlin this year, including Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich.
Party Despite Election Disappointment
The decision to attend the carnival party has sparked criticism from some quarters, who argue that it is insensitive to celebrate while the party is facing electoral setbacks. However, Walther defended the decision, emphasizing that the event had been planned long in advance and that the party members deserve a chance to enjoy themselves.
"We are not laughing at our election results," Walther said. "But we are also not going to let them ruin our carnival. We are proud of our party and the work we have done, and we are going to celebrate our city and our culture."
Hope for the Future
Despite the disappointing election results, the SPD in Cologne remains optimistic about the future. Walther expressed confidence that the party would learn from its mistakes and emerge stronger.
"We know that we have a lot of work to do, but we are up for the challenge," Walther said. "We are going to rebuild our party and earn back the trust of the people of Cologne. We are the SPD, and we are not going anywhere."
