The next German election is not until late 2025, but it seems the campaign is already in full swing. Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck has taken the initial initiative.
The minister from the Greens in the three-party coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD) fired the first shot late last month with a call to loosen budget restrictions – a direct attack on the fiscally hawkish Free Democratic Party (FDP) Finance Minister Christian Lindner.
Last week, Mr. Habeck continued to "encroach" on the foreign policy field that is under the responsibility of SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Green Party Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
The 54-year-old politician caused a stir on social media when he posted a video of a speech in which he warned about the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on domestic sentiment on both the right and the left.
What's more, the video has won Mr Habeck praise from across the political spectrum, including from the right-wing tabloid Bild – Germany's best-selling newspaper and a frequent critic of the Green Party vice-chancellor.
Poll results support political parties and coalitions in Germany. Graphics: Bloomberg
The moves were surprising, coming from a man who has repeatedly called for unity in the three-party coalition that has been rife with disagreements. The leaders of the SPD, FDP and Greens had met just days earlier to discuss the focus of the second half of their mandate – and how to end the public squabbling that has damaged the “traffic light” coalition’s standing with voters.
According to Cornelia Woll, professor of international political economy and head of the Berlin-based Hertie School, Mr Habeck is fully aware that the debate over budget policy will be one of the key issues in the 2025 election campaign.
“But Robert Habeck also recognizes that it is very difficult for him to assert himself at this time,” Ms. Woll told Bloomberg. “So the obvious battleground is the 2025 federal election.”
Alongside Mr. Friedrich Merz – leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Mr. Markus Soeder – Chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU), Green Party Minister Robert Habeck is becoming a potential opponent to incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
In the 2021 election, Mr Habeck gave way to Ms Baerbock to run as the Greens' candidate for chancellor, and the party struggled to maintain a strong vote early in the campaign. Mr Habeck is likely to be more successful next time .
Minh Duc (According to Bloomberg, DW)
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