German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has announced that he will continue his political career despite the Green Party’s disappointing performance in Sunday’s federal election.
The Greens secured 11.6% of the vote, a decline from the 14.7% they achieved in 2021, placing them fourth in the election. Following the results, Habeck initially stated that he would no longer seek a leading role within the party. However, in a video shared on social media on Wednesday, he clarified that he would not retire from politics entirely.
This does not mean that I’ll stop existing as a political human being. I will accept my seat in the German Bundestag.
He also expressed gratitude to his supporters, acknowledging the overwhelming response to a petition urging him to remain in politics, which had garnered over 400,000 signatures.
The petition, launched by supporters following Habeck’s initial announcement, highlighted the need for his continued presence in German politics. The outpouring of support underscores Habeck’s significant influence and the respect he commands among voters, despite the Greens’ electoral decline.
Habeck has been a central figure in Germany’s tripartite coalition government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) and including the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP). As Economy Minister, Habeck has been a driving force behind Germany’s ambitious climate policies.
While his efforts to accelerate Germany’s transition to net-zero emissions have been praised by environmental advocates, they have also faced criticism for being poorly conceived and burdensome for households.
His presence in the Bundestag ensures that the Greens retains a strong voice in shaping Germany’s future, particularly on climate and economic policies. However, the Greens and their coalition partners face an uphill battle to regain public trust and address the criticisms that contributed to their electoral setback.
