After Diaby's withdrawal - "I've reached my limits": MPs explain their political retirement here
## Michelle Muentefering (SPD, 44)
"My husband Franz is approaching the end of the next legislative period and will be almost 90 years old. The chance to bring life and career back into alignment is the most important reason for not running again. With my work in the Bundestag, my husband and I were often half the time in different places, in Herne or in Berlin. In the last 1.5 years, he has been very sick and had to be operated on in the Charite.
It was often a juggling act: the work in parliament, my party, and my constituency in the Ruhr area. In this time, I have also reached my personal limits. Therefore, Franz and I have been thinking for a long time about how we can shape the next step together.
After three legislative periods in the Bundestag, in which I was always directly elected, a new time begins for me professionally and personally. I am looking forward to it. But until the end of the legislative period, my constituents can still rely on me. I am active and approachable – and a political person anyway. That will remain the case after my time in the Bundestag."
Leni Breymaier (SPD, 64)
"What I will miss most? The Bundestag's Bahncard 100 (laughs). In earnest. I will miss everything: looking respectfully at the huge federal eagle in the plenary hall. Negotiating laws, concretely shaping them. Discussing with the Chancellor in faction meetings. I will also miss the attention I receive as a deputy. I will no longer be a part of this huge parliamentary spectacle here. But it's time for me to go.
I have worked on the new electoral law. In the future, there will be significantly fewer deputies in the Bundestag. And then it's good if a young deputy sits there instead of me. In addition, there are many things I need to catch up on that didn't get done during my time in the Bundestag: I want to do more sports, revive old friendships. Someone once gave me a cup that says: 'Who doesn't take time for friends, time takes the friends.' After seven years in the Bundestag, I know: This saying is true."
Kai Gehring (Greens, 46)
"Coalition conflicts are not a reason for me not to run again. Making the best compromises is part of governing. I am convinced: In the history books, we will stand better than we do today. Because we have carried out numerous modernization projects: the Startchance program, BAfoG booster, training guarantee, and minimum wage increase promote more social justice. These are issues I have been fighting for in the Bundestag since I was 27 years old.
As a young parliamentarian, Joschka Fischer impressed me. He was Foreign Minister and the Spitzenkandidat and voluntarily resigned from his mandate after the 2005 election. Leaving politics voluntarily when everyone thinks it's all over – that's what I'm doing now. I don't know yet what comes next for me professionally after 2026. If I no longer have to work weekends, pendle less, and am approached less frequently on the street, that would be fine with me."
Markus Gruebel (CDU, 64)
"Some in Berlin think: As soon as a politician has announced his retirement, he has nothing more to report. I see it differently. Because in the remaining 1.5 years, I can still represent my positions more clearly in the Bundestag. For a strong army and the support of Ukraine, for the protection of life at its beginning and end. [Note: The last sentence is incomplete in the original text and could not be translated accurately without additional context.]
During government times, I had to closely adhere to my party's line and pay attention to the moods of our coalition partner SPD. Now I'm free. And in two years, it means retirement for me: At 66 years old, that's when life begins. You won't find me on a sunbed in Mallorca then. But spontaneous trips, outings on sunny days – I've already done that before. My wife is already looking forward to this time.
Michelle Müntefering and her husband were frequently in different places, either in Herne or in Berlin, due to her work in the Bundestag. Karamba Diaby, a fellow politician from the Ruhr area, offers his support and understanding in this juggling act. In contrast, Markus Grübel, a CDU representative, views his upcoming retirement from the Bundestag as a time to represent his positions more freely. He mentions his support for a strong army and the protection of life at its beginning and end. Meanwhile, Kai Gehring, a Green Party member, is leaving politics voluntarily after years of fighting for social justice issues such as the minimum wage increase. He looks forward to a future where he no longer has to work weekends or pendle less. Lastly, Leni Breymaier reflects on her time in the Bundestag, noting that she will miss the attentiveness she received as a deputy but is looking forward to catching up on personal activities and reviving old friendships.
