Successor to Malu Dreyer - Alexander Schweitzer elected as the new Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate
The Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament elected a new Minister-President today. The previous Labor and Social Minister, Alexander Schweitzer (both SPD), succeeded Malu Dreyer, who is popular beyond party lines. Dreyer, who is 63 years old, announced her retirement from politics due to a lack of energy for the job. She has been suffering from multiple sclerosis for a long time. Dreyer proposed Schweitzer as her successor.
Schweitzer needed at least 51 votes from the 101 parliamentarians for the election of the Minister-President and received 57 votes according to SWR broadcast - six more than necessary. The three traffic light factions together have over 54 votes. The election was considered a foregone conclusion.
Alexander Schweitzer: Jurist, Social Politician, Palatine
With Dreyer's retirement, an era comes to an end in Rhineland-Palatinate. The sympathetic and empathetic politician sat at the cabinet table for eleven years before her move to the state chancellery, as Social Minister. Kurt Beck had appointed her as his successor. Dreyer was the first woman in this position in Rhineland-Palatinate and also a pioneer with an Ampel (Traffic Light) government.
Schweitzer, like Dreyer, is a jurist, social politician, and Palatine. However, Dreyer now lives in Trier, while Schweitzer still resides in Bad Bergzabern. He had long been considered a candidate for her succession. However, the announcement of his replacement came surprisingly quickly after the European and municipal elections. The timing is considered optimal for Schweitzer to make a name for himself in the office until the Landtag election in 2026.
The Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate is now Alexander Schweitzer, following the retirement of Malu Dreyer due to health reasons. This change was supported by the majority in the state parliament, including the SPD, led by Dreyer. Despite being based in Bad Bergzabern, Schweitzer shares similar roles and backgrounds with his predecessor, having served as a jurist and social politician in Germany.
