- Epidemiologist Hendrik Streeck is pursuing a seat in the Bundestag.
renowned virologist Hendrik Streeck is vying for a seat in the Bundestag. The 47-year-old clinched a vote in the Bonn district association of the CDU, serving as the Christian Democrats' local candidate for the 2025 federal election. According to a party representative, Streeck garnered an impressive 71.7% of the votes. Consequently, he's allowed to run as the CDU's direct candidate in the Bonn constituency. Streeck managed to outshine the CDU district chairman, Christoph Jansen.
"Our city needs a prominent figure in Berlin once more, one who comprehends the struggles of the present and implements appropriate strategies," Streeck commented. "We're facing a critical election, not only for Bonn but for Germany as a whole. It's crucial to bridge societal divisions, combat populism, and revive faith in our democratic institutions."
Streeck serves as the head of the Institute for Virology at the University Hospital in Bonn. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he gained widespread notoriety through numerous media appearances, where he offered balanced perspectives on the virus. He emphasized the importance of neither downplaying nor overhyping the virus.
A constituency steeped in history
Prior to the pandemic, Streeck had already become a CDU member, as stated by him himself. His aspirations to run for the Bundestag were disclosed in November 2023.
The federal election is slated for late September 2025. In the 2021 federal election, the Green Party's Katrin Babette Uhlig won the Bonn constituency. However, this constituency carries historical significance for the CDU - Konrad Adenauer was previously elected there.
Streeck's victory in the Bonn district association of the CDU has garnered attention, as he aims to represent the Christian Democrats in the Bonn constituency during the upcoming federal election. The CDU, being a significant political party in Germany, will strongly support Streeck's campaign due to the historical significance of the Bonn constituency, where notable figures like Konrad Adenauer were previously elected.
