SPD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern picks Schwesig as top candidate for September's state election

On policy, the SPD's main topics are the economy and jobs, education, social security and social cohesion — basically making sure people feel the economy is working for them. They want to set up a state development bank, which is a publicly owned bank that gives cheaper loans to businesses and people, including young families who want to buy a home. The party also plans to bring back a wealth tax (a tax on the richest people's assets), cut red tape for two years, build or renovate 1,000 dorm rooms over the next five years, and offer interest-free loans to help young people pay for their driving licence.

The list itself mixes senior politicians with newer faces. Following Schwesig are Interior Minister Christian Pegel, Landtag President Birgit Hesse and Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus, who has been a minister for almost 28 years. Lower down, a younger Jusos (the SPD's youth organisation) member and lawyer named Johannes Barsch is at number 20, which makes him the first candidate on the list who is not also running for a direct local constituency seat. Several current members of the state parliament are placed behind him.

On the campaign trail, the SPD is handing out 'WM-Planer' (World Cup planners) with Schwesig in a red jersey on the cover, under the slogan 'Anpfiff für die Zukunft unseres Landes' (kick-off for the future of our state). They are also producing a small 12-centimetre car freshener shaped like Schwesig in a red trouser suit, with the scent 'New Linen'. Former Minister-President Erwin Sellering, who recently recovered from an infectious illness, also made a short speech at the congress.

Warum ist das für dich wichtig?

If you live in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, this is the state election that will decide your regional government — and policies like interest-free loans for driving licences, more student housing and a new state bank could affect your daily life.