BERLIN, Oct. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Franz Muentefering, leader of outgoing German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democratic Party (SPD) said Monday that he would resign after his bid to have an aide elected in the party's national leadership was voted down. 

    "Under these conditions I cannot remain party chairman," said Muentefering at an urgent news briefing.

Social Democratic party leader Franz Muentefering looks down as he addresses a news conference at the CDU headquarters in Berlin Oct. 31.  (Reuters)

    His resignation was caused by the failure of SPD election campaign strategist Kajo Wasserhoevel to be elected as secretary-general.

    The party's executive committee defied Muentefering and elected a leading party leftist, Andrea Nahles, who got 23 votes compared with Wasserhoevel's 14.

    Muentefering said he would continue to head the SPD delegation at grand coalition talks with chancellor-designate Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, but would not seek reelection at a party congress in November.

    As the SPD is leaderless, observers here said that it would be more difficult to forge a grand coalition, but Muentefering's resignation would not be likely to trigger a new general election in Germany.

    Speculation over a possible successor for him focused on Mattias Platzeck, premier of eastern Brandenburg state.

    It was not clear yet if Muentefering still plans to be a member of the new German cabinet. He is currently designated to be vice chancellor and labor minister in the new government expected to be in place in mid-November.

    Nahles, who had refused to withdraw her candidacy for party secretary-general, was reported to be a charismatic left-winger.

    Muentefering was reportedly worried that left-wing positions of Nahles would make it difficult for him to work compromises for coalition between the SPD and CDU alliance.

    Coalition talks between the two parties will continue later Monday. Enditem