Stephan Weil Announces Departure as Niedersachsen's Prime Minister

In a significant political shift for Niedersachsen, Ministerpräsident Stephan Weil has announced his intention to step down from his roles as both the party leader of the SPD and the head of government. This decision marks the end of Weil's more than twelve-year tenure, as he plans to vacate his positions by May.

Olaf Lies, the current Minister of Economics, is set to succeed Weil in both roles, as confirmed by reports from multiple news outlets, including NDR and the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung.

The SPD Niedersachsen has scheduled a statement from Weil at the Kurt-Schumacher-Haus in Hannover at 14:00 this afternoon, where further details are expected to be revealed.

Weil's departure is a notable moment for Niedersachsen's SPD, as he has served as the Landesvorsitzender since early 2012 and has been Ministerpräsident since early 2013. With this lengthy service, he ranks as the third-longest-serving head of state in Germany, following Reiner Haseloff of the CDU in Sachsen-Anhalt and Winfried Kretschmann of the Greens in Baden-Württemberg. Prior to his current roles, Weil was the Mayor of Hannover from 2006 to 2013.

Speculation had circulated for some time regarding Weil's potential early resignation, which could allow his successor to gain an advantage ahead of the next state elections. Although Weil had previously dismissed these rumors, he has now confirmed his decision to step down, contradicting earlier statements where he expressed his desire to remain in office until 2027, health permitting.

Responding to the news, the CDU has called for immediate elections should Weil proceed with his planned exit. Sebastian Lechner, the CDU faction leader in the state parliament, emphasized that Weil should either fulfill his commitment to serve until 2027 or pave the way for new elections.

The leadership transition in Niedersachsen coincides with a tumultuous period for the SPD following their significant loss in the 2025 federal elections. Party leader Lars Klingbeil had previously indicated a need for generational change within the party, reflecting a broader strategy to rejuvenate the party's image and leadership.

With Lies now stepping into the limelight, he has long been viewed as a frontrunner for this position. Having previously served as the state party leader from 2010 to 2012, he narrowly lost the candidacy for the state leadership to Weil in 2013.

Had Weil completed his full term, he would have surpassed the record held by Ernst Albrecht of the CDU, who served as Prime Minister from 1976 to 1990--making Weil's impending resignation a notable moment in Niedersachsen's political history.