Withdrawal - Finance Minister Heinold bids farewell to the parliament
After 28 years, Schleswig-Holstein's Finance Minister Monika Heinold is stepping down from politics. "For me, this is the right time to say goodbye on my own terms, and it feels really good", the Green politician stated in a personal declaration at the end of the Landtag session. Afterwards, representatives from all factions stood up and applauded Heinold for several minutes.
Looking back on her time in politics, Heinold recalled that in 1996, when she first entered politics, there was no smartphone or email account. In committee meetings, people smoked. Her goal was to bring movement to politics.
"It was an honor for me to make politics," she declared now. "I had the great luck to shape things for 28 years. I have experienced so much in some weeks that it would have been enough for a year", she added. "It was an honor for me to make politics. Working with you was always a great joy."
Heinold also thanked all the staff in her faction, in the Landtag administration, and in her ministry - "without their support, I wouldn't have made it through the turbulent everyday life".
Democracy is strong when democrats argue fiercely but fairly with each other, said the departing Finance Minister. "What we cannot endure are anonymous threats, personal defamation, and raw violence. Racism, hate, and incitement have no place in our democracy." This statement received a loud applause. When it comes to it, the Landtag stands together - this was evident in many debates.
Farewell from Deputies of all Factions
At the end of her speech, there were not only long applause but also numerous bouquets of flowers for her. Already in the Landtag debates in the morning, deputies from all factions had thanked Heinold for her long-term work.
The former teacher Heinold was first elected to the Landtag in 1996. Since 2012, she has been Finance Minister - first in a coalition with SPD and SSW under Minister President Torsten Albig (SPD), since 2017 in the cabinet of Günther.
Heinold's departure from the cabinet of Minister President Daniel Günther (CDU) is scheduled for the coming Tuesday (11.15 am). After a cabinet meeting, Günther intends to hand over the appointment letter to his successor, Silke Schneider (Greens).
The 56-year-old jurist Schneider is currently President of the Lübeck Regional Court and is also a member of the Constitutional Court. She was also a State Secretary in previous state governments from 2014 to 2020, first in the Environment Ministry, then in the Finance Ministry under Heinold.
- Monika Heinold, a prominent figure in regional politics from Kiel and a member of Alliance 90/The Greens, has served as Schleswig-Holstein's Finance Minister for 28 years.
- During her time in politics, Heinold has witnessed significant changes, from the absence of smartphones and email accounts to committee meetings where people smoked.
- Despite the challenges, Heinold found joy and fulfillment in making politics, particularly through shaping policies for nearly three decades.
- In her farewell speech, Heinold emphasized the importance of democracy, stating that it thrives when politicians argue fairly, but intolerance towards anonymous threats, personal defamation, and violence should not be tolerated.
- As the Legislative session concluded, deputies from all factions applauded Heinold and presented her with bouquets of flowers, recognizing her long-term contribution to the democracy of Schleswig-Holstein.
- The incoming Finance Minister, Silke Schneider, has a rich background in legal and political roles, serving as a judge, a State Secretary, and a member of the Constitutional Court, preparing her well for her new role in the government.
