After Bas exit, Pistorius rules out bid to lead Germany's Social Democrats

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has ruled out running for leader of his Social Democratic Party (SPD). "I will definitely not run for party chair," he said on Tuesday at the annual employers' conference in Berlin, citing his security responsibilities, which he said keep him fully occupied.

Pistorius backed the remaining co-leader, Lars Klingbeil. "We have a party chair, Lars Klingbeil, who is doing an excellent job in difficult times," he said. "I am very much in favor of him running again in the winter."

Bärbel Bas announced on Monday that she was stepping down as labor minister and SPD co-leader. Klingbeil has said the entire party leadership will be re-elected at a convention around the turn of the year.