Frank-Walter Steinmeier rallied some 500 delegates at the Social Democrats' congress in the German capital.
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The gathering, which comes after the debacle at the European parliamentary polls, is seen as a chance to infuse fresh enthusiasm into party ranks.
The German vice-chancellor and foreign minister who hopes to topple Chancellor Angela Merkel, urged all SPD members to ensure victory for the Social Democrats in September's general elections.
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Steinmeier and Muentefering were all smiles at the party convention last October The Social Democrats hope to adopt their election manifesto at Sunday's party convention. The party has been calling for decreasing taxes for low-wage earners and introducing a solidary tax for the rich. It's also seeking a nationwide minimum hourly wage of 7.50 euros.
The Social Democrats appear to be in crisis mode just three months away from the crucial vote. Both party head Franz Muentefering and Steinmeier have promised not to let the disappointing European results get them down.
Looking back on 2008 It all started so promisingly back in October 2008, when party members came together for their convention in Berlin to bury the hatchet and elect a new leader. Franz Muenterfering was chosen as the new head and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was put forward as their candidate for chancellor.
"If you have faith, then I am ready," Steinmeier called out to the celebrating delegates.
As the convention came to a close, Steinmeier summed up what the new change of leadership would mean.
"Hope and confidence are back. This will be a day of new departures. We believe in ourselves again, which makes us strong and our opponents will recognize that."
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: SPD candidate for German president, Gisene Schwan, was also defeated by the CDU One debacle after another However, that confidence was soon put to the test. In January of this year, elections that should have easily been won by the SPD ended disastrously. Christian Democrat Roland Koch made a triumphant return to his post as premier of the state of Hesse.
In addition, the SPD's candidate for president, Gesine Schwan, was defeated by incumbent Horst Koehler, who was supported by the CDU and their preferred coalition partners, the Free Democratic Party (FDP).
But it was European elections that handed the SPD their worst defeat in party history, with only 20 percent of the vote.
rb/bm/dpa/AP
Editor: Andreas Illmer
(Deutsche Welle)
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