Bärbel Bas, co-leader of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the country's labour and social affairs minister, resigned from both posts on Monday. She cited the death of her stepdaughter and said she needed time to grieve. She also said public attacks on her had intensified during this personally difficult period, "unfortunately also from the ranks of the coalition partner". Bas, 58, from the western city of Duisburg, will keep her seat in the Bundestag, the federal parliament, where she represents a Duisburg constituency.

In her statement she said she could not currently muster the strength to carry out her government and party work in full. She asked Chancellor Friedrich Merz to release her from the ministry. Her co-leader, Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, called the attacks on her during her bereavement "indecent" and said they "poison the political culture". He added that women in particular are targets of hatred and abuse. SPD figures such as Manuela Schwesig, premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, described the criticism from the Christian Democrats as inhumane.

Merz rejected any suggestion that his conservative CDU/CSU bears partial responsibility. He said he had last been in touch with her two or three weeks ago, had encouraged her to take whatever time she needed, and had only ever debated policy with her, never personal matters. CSU leader Markus Söder had also expressed understanding for her absence. Reports differ on the mood in the conservative camp. Some say the parliamentary group deliberately refrained from criticism, while others say Merz complained about her absence to journalists. Critics had accused her ministry of slow progress on pension and working-time plans agreed in the coalition committee on 1 July, though draft laws are now reportedly in early coordination at the Chancellery.

Bas belonged to the SPD's left wing and often clashed with Merz over the welfare state. She called his claim that it is unaffordable "bullshit". The taz newspaper describes her as having been caught between her party's expectations and her role in an unpopular cabinet, and she also drew fire from employers and from within her own party over pension reform.

Alexander Schweitzer, former premier of Rhineland-Palatinate, is to succeed her as minister. He recently criticised Merz sharply. Some SPD women's leaders object, demanding a woman in the post, although others in the party back Schweitzer. Klingbeil has announced a party congress in December to elect the entire SPD leadership, and it remains open whether the dual leadership will continue.

The resignation comes as relations between the governing parties are strained. Both lost support and suffered heavy defeats in recent state elections in eastern Germany. Disputes have flared over a sugar tax, pensions and the election of an AfD speaker in a state parliament with CDU votes. Neither side appears to want the coalition to collapse, but Merz now faces the task of holding it together.