Annalena Baerbock wants to focus entirely on her position as Foreign Minister and will not seek another Green candidate for chancellor.
Instead of being involved in a candidacy for chancellor, she wants to dedicate all her energy to her current role in light of the international crises, the Green politician explained in an interview with the US television channel CNN on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington.
The world is obviously very different from what it was at the last federal election.
Annalena BaerbockFederal Foreign Minister
“The world is obviously very different from what it was at the last federal election,” Baerbock said, according to an official translation by the Foreign Office in Berlin. “In light of the Russian war of aggression and now also the dramatic situation in the Middle East, we need more, not less, diplomacy. Otherwise, others will fill the gap,” she added.
Baerbock added in the interview conducted by CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour: “Therefore, in these extreme times, state political responsibility as Foreign Minister means for me: instead of being tied up in a candidacy for chancellor, continuing to devote my energy fully to my task of building trust, cooperation and reliable structures – for and with so many partners worldwide and in Europe who rely on them.”
Habeck now favourite to run for chancellor
Baerbock, who had agreed with current Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck before the 2021 federal election to run as the Green Party’s candidate for chancellor, also assured: “Of course, I will do everything I can to support my party during the election campaign, just as I did last time.”
We will discuss everything else in the committees and announce the right decisions in good time.
Robert HabeckVice Chancellor
Habeck reacted to the news from the USA on the sidelines of his summer trip to Dortmund. He praised Baerbock’s achievements as Foreign Minister. “Annalena Baerbock has ensured that Germany has been and continues to be a factor of stability in foreign policy in recent years.” His party colleague is doing an excellent job.
The fact that Baerbock announced her decision in a TV interview in the USA “shows how deeply she is anchored in foreign policy,” said Habeck. The Vice Chancellor was evasive regarding his own ambitions to run for chancellor“We will discuss everything else in the committees and announce the right decisions in good time.”
Green Party leaders support Baerbock’s decision
The two Green Party leaders Ricarda Lang and Omid Nouripour also commented on Baerbock’s decision in the evening“That’s Annalena Baerbock and that’s how we value her: with responsibility for the whole and as a team player,” said the two Green Party leaders. “Her decision shows great responsibility for our country.”
Right now, Germany needs a committed foreign minister. “She stands for a foreign policy that is needed more than ever before.” Lang and Nouripour were evasive regarding the Greens’ candidacy for chancellor: “We will decide everything else at the appropriate time.”
I have great respect for this decision.
Winfried KretschmannPrime Minister of Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann, who had already spoken out in favour of Robert Habeck as candidate for chancellor a few weeks ago, praised Baerbock’s decision“I have great respect for this decision,” Kretschmann told the Tagesspiegel. Baerbock is leading her office with strength and vision. “Our country can count itself lucky to have such a responsible and experienced foreign minister in the crises of our time,” said Kretschmann.
Party left feels alienated by Habeck’s style
Habeck has been trying internally for months to gain his party’s support for a candidacy for chancellor. Just this weekend, according to Tagesspiegel information, he vehemently demanded the post for himself at a meeting of the realo wing of the Greens in Berlin-Kreuzberg.
But there are also many skeptics in his party who are critical of a candidacy in view of the weak poll ratings for the Greens and would rather speak of a top candidacy instead.
In addition, many left-wingers in the party are uncomfortable with Habeck’s style. It is often said that he is not enough of a team player and does not involve the party in his decisions. He is also too careless with the party’s program and makes compromises too quickly. His supporters, on the other hand, see Habeck as a bridge-builder and communicator who also appeals to many people in the middle class.
Annalena Baerbock lets Robert Habeck go first.
© AFP/Ralf Hirschberger
It has been clear for some time that either Baerbock or Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck would lead the Greens into the next federal election campaign.
In the spring, Baerbock’s entourage said they wanted to stick to the candidate nomination procedure agreed two and a half years ago. In September 2022, the executive board decided that the party base should decide in a primary election if there were several promising candidates.
Greens wanted to avoid deadlock
But they wanted to avoid a stalemate, possibly played out in publicTop Greens always hoped that the two former party leaders would reach an amicable agreement.
If Baerbock had insisted on running, a power struggle with Habeck would have been almost unavoidable. This raises the question: how much trouble, how much political capital is such a fight worth? And that especially for a party that is currently only polling between 11 and 13 percent?
At the moment, it seems unlikely that the next chancellor might have a Green Party membership card. But there will always be another chance. And at 43, Baerbock is young for a politician – perhaps that also explains her decision not to run.
Green parliamentary group leaders praise Baerbock’s decision
The co-chair of the Green Party in the Bundestag, Britta Haßelmann, praised Baerbock’s decision“That’s Annalena Baerbock. Responsibility for the whole, a team player through and through. We all know that and that’s what our party appreciates regarding her,” wrote Haßelmann on X. “She shows great responsibility by concentrating her commitment fully and completely on foreign policy in this time of crisis and global situation.”
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Katharina Dröge, who co-leads the Green parliamentary group with Haßelmann, expressed similar views. “I am very happy that we have a foreign minister who enjoys such high international trust in very difficult times and on all important issues – from Ukraine to the Middle East,” Dröge wrote on X. “It is a very responsible decision to give stability and priority to foreign policy at this time. And thank you for the fact that team play is so important to you.”
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The Union welcomed Baerbock’s announcement. “The Greens have more pressing problems than clarifying the question of a candidate for chancellor,” said the parliamentary manager of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Thorsten Frei, to the newspaper “Rheinische Post”.
Annalena Baerbock Declines Chancellor Candidacy, Giving Habeck the Green Light
Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s Foreign Minister, has announced that she will not be seeking the Green Party’s nomination for chancellor in the next federal election. In an interview with CNN, Baerbock stated that she wants to focus entirely on her role as Foreign Minister, especially given the current international crises.
“The world is obviously very different from what it was at the last federal election,” Baerbock said, referring to the Russian war in Ukraine and the escalating conflicts in the Middle East. “In light of the Russian war of aggression and now also the dramatic situation in the Middle East, we need more, not less, diplomacy. Otherwise, others will fill the gap,” she added.
Baerbock’s decision effectively clears the path for Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economics and Climate Action, to run as the Green Party’s candidate for chancellor. While Baerbock insisted on supporting her party’s campaign, Habeck has been actively seeking the party’s endorsement for a chancellorship bid, particularly within the “realo” wing of the Greens.
“Annalena Baerbock has ensured that Germany has been and continues to be a factor of stability in foreign policy in recent years,” said Habeck, praising his party colleague’s accomplishments. He remained evasive regarding his own ambitions, stating that the party would make a decision “in good time.”
Habeck Faces Skepticism Within the Green Party
While Habeck seems poised to become the Green Party’s candidate, he faces challenges within his own party. Some Greens remain skeptical regarding his ability to lead the party to electoral success, citing the party’s lagging poll numbers. Others are critical of his leadership style, arguing that he lacks sufficient teamwork and makes compromises too readily.
Baerbock’s Decision Sparks Praise and Support
Baerbock’s decision has received a positive response from many within the Green Party. The party’s co-leaders, Ricarda Lang and Omid Nouripour, expressed their appreciation for Baerbock’s dedication and commitment to serving as Foreign Minister. “That’s Annalena Baerbock and that’s how we value her: with responsibility for the whole and as a team player,” they said.
Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann, a long-time advocate for Habeck’s chancellorship bid, also voiced his support for Baerbock’s decision. “I have great respect for this decision,” Kretschmann said. “Our country can count itself lucky to have such a responsible and experienced foreign minister in the crises of our time.”
The Future of the Greens
With Baerbock stepping aside, the Green Party is now looking to Habeck to lead them into the next federal election. However, the party faces an uphill battle. Its current poll numbers are hovering around 11 to 13 percent, placing it far behind the current coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP).
The Greens’ success will depend on Habeck’s ability to rally support within his party and connect with voters. He must also overcome internal skepticism surrounding his leadership style and the party’s strategic direction. While his focus on climate change and sustainability aligns with the Green ideology, he will need to demonstrate the efficacy of his policies and appeal to a wider electorate to secure a victory in the next election.
