German Labour Minister Resigns After Stepdaughter’s Death

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — German Labour Minister Baerbel Bas has decided to resign from her government post and as one of the co-leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) following the death of her stepdaughter. The decision also comes amid mounting public attacks against her.

“After the death of my stepdaughter, I realised that I needed time to come to terms with my grief,” Bas said in a statement released on Monday (12 October 2026), as quoted by Reuters.

Bas, who is responsible for much of Germany’s welfare system, also highlighted the growing pressure and intensifying public criticism, including attacks from the SPD’s conservative coalition partners.

German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, who leads the SPD alongside Bas, condemned the attacks on his colleague, particularly while she was in mourning.

“The attacks on her during the past few days of mourning were inappropriate. That is unacceptable,” Klingbeil said in a statement.

It remains unclear who will replace Bas in the SPD leadership and in the German government.

Although she is leaving both posts, Bas said she would retain her parliamentary mandate. No further information has been provided on when her resignation will take effect or on the process for appointing her successor.