State government - Dreyer: "The best thing was always meeting people"
Malu Dreyer wishes to travel to Australia some day after her retirement from politics. "My husband has family there, and as minister-president, it was impossible for me to go anywhere that required more than 24 hours to return," said the outgoing Rhineland-Palatinate minister-president in an interview with the German Press Agency. "I am looking forward to this freedom."
First, however, the 63-year-old intends to take a vacation in Germany. And then? "My life should become slower." This includes having more time for her husband, family, and friends. "I still want to do something socially meaningful."
"It's a very, very emotional time right now," said Dreyer about the time since the announcement of her retirement until the handover coming next Wednesday.
She has no fear of emptiness, said Dreyer. But after many years "in constant motion," she also has no clear idea what the time after - without a regular routine - will bring.
"I have these two passion projects: women's politics and democracy," said Dreyer. "I am completely open, I can even imagine doing something International in one of these fields." A project in the joint foundation with her husband, the former mayor of Trier and SPD politician Klaus Jensen, is also conceivable to her. The goal of the Klaus-Jensen Foundation is to promote a culture of nonviolence, which includes reconciliation work. "I don't want to get bogged down. I just want to bring my abilities to a place where I think they make sense, without overworking myself."
"The best thing was always the encounter with the people," said Dreyer about her time as minister-president. This included "little wonderful encounters," but also large events such as the Day of German Unity in Mainz or the Rhineland-Palatinate Day after the pandemic or also the expert councils like the Coronabundnis. "This was a great source of strength for me throughout the entire term." Also "the privilege of getting to know special people" counts among them.
What will she miss? "I am a person who loves to shape things," said Dreyer. "I had an office that always gave me the influence to move things, to speak to many people, to tell them what my conviction is and what I believe is important for society." This extensive audience she will no longer have. "I can no longer shape things on a grand scale, that requires an office. I will miss that." But such an office also requires a lot of strength.
And campaigning for the SPD? She has no intention of engaging herself at an exposed level for the party anymore. But: "The SPD remains my party forever," emphasized Dreyer. "If there is an issue, I would of course make that naturally for the SPD."
- Despite her desire to visit Australia in retirement, Malu Dreyer, the former minister-president of Rhineland-Palatinate, expressed that her position prevented her from taking prolonged trips during her tenure, as reported by the German Press Agency.
- The German State government's top official, Malu Dreyer, is currently planning to take a vacation within Germany after her retirement, followed by a desire for a slower pace in life.
- In conversation with the German Press Agency, the SPD politician Malu Dreyer shared her excitement for the freedom she will have after retirement from politics, allowing her to focus more on her husband, family, and social endeavors.
- The Rhineland-Palatinate Government's outgoing minister-president, Malu Dreyer, stated that while she is emotionally invested in her current role, she has no fear of an empty future, but is unsure about what exactly her post-politics life will entail.
- The German Press Agency reported that, after serving as the minister-president, Malu Dreyer plans to remain socially active, expressing her passion for women's politics and democracy, and even considering an international project within those fields.
