Talk on "Anne Will" - One last battle of words with Robert Habeck: Anne Will bids farewell to her show
"Even if it sounds a bit pathetic: it was an honor" - with these words Anne Will said goodbye to her political talk show after 16 years. The 57-year-old ended her last show on Sunday evening with a big thank you to all viewers and her team. Her staff surprised the presenter with a "Best Of" clip, flowers and applause.
Earlier, author Navid Kermani had already taken the initiative: "I would like to say: Thank you! I think I can say on behalf of all the guests that everyone felt at home here." This was the first time Kermani had ever been invited as a guest on the political talk show. Others were regular guests in the Adlershof TV studio. Like Robert Habeck, who was also on Will's last show. He also had words of praise for the political talk show host: "Thank you for 16 years of enlightenment. That was style-defining," he said.
Anne Will takes Robert Habeck to task
In the last ten minutes of the show, Anne Will had once again put the green economy minister under the gun, talking about "eroded trust in the traffic light government" and putting the pistol to Habeck's chest: What had come out of the Sunday consultations with the government partners on the budget crisis? How does the traffic light government intend to plug the billion-euro hole following the Constitutional Court 's ruling? The Vice-Chancellor was tight-lipped: "We are moving forward step by step and will try to compensate for money in other areas." Will asked: "So that means that savings are being made?" What exactly is planned? Habeck blocked: "I'm not going to be specific tonight," he said.
The presenter did not let up. It almost seemed as if she wanted to show once again what she particularly likes in an exchange of blows with the political pros: being quicker, getting stuck in, provoking if necessary: "Is it also possible that they won't reach an agreement?" asked Will and received an answer that left a lot of room for interpretation: "I'm optimistic that we're on the right track," said Habeck. "I'm shocked, Mr. Habeck: you're saying that it might not work out?" Will became more aggressive. The Green repeated that he was "confident" that the government "will get it right". When Anne Will said that Habeck did not yet know whether an agreement would be reached, he ranted: "They've twisted that now!
Relaxed guest panel
A calm panel of guests, no shouting matches "The world is in disarray - is Germany up to the challenges?" was the major global topic of the last Anne Will program. Alongside Robert Habeck and Navid Kermani, historian Raphael Gross (President of the German Historical Museum Foundation) and political scientist Florence Gaub (Director of Research at the NATO Defense College in Rome) provided a pleasantly objective discussion without any shouting matches. In addition to domestic politics, the topics were Ukraine and Israel following the Hamas terror attack.
"We can no longer afford this complacent naivety: everything will be fine," warned Habeck with regard to the war in Ukraine. He even considered it "dishonorable" if the Ukrainians were to be "left hanging now", Habeck said, adding: "We are sitting here in a well-heated studio while the people in Ukraine are lying in trenches and dying." Navid Kermani
on the other hand, feared that support would crumble the longer the war lasted. Time is also pressing with regard to the elections in the USA: "The Republicans are already putting up a front against support for Ukraine," said the writer. The people in Ukraine have "too much to live for and too little to die for". The EU should be united right now, but the opposite is the case. This assessment was shared by historian Raphael Gross, who sees the democratic achievements of the Enlightenment in Europe under "strong pressure" or in some cases already removed from it, as in Hungary under the right-wing hardliner Viktor Orbán.
All guests saw Germany as having a special responsibility in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Writer Kermani emphasized that the local distance made it possible to suggest new solutions from outside: "We have to counter the logic of either-or", said Kermani. Florence Gaub said that this would require a change of government on the Palestinian side. Only then would the way be clear for new discussions.
In future, the new political discussions on Sunday evenings after the crime drama on "Der Erste" will be hosted by Anne Will's successor: "Tagesthemen" presenter Caren Miosga. "Be nice to her," wished the outgoing presenter.
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The Constitutional Court's ruling on a particular issue caused a significant budget crisis for the German government, with Robert Habeck, the Vice-Chancellor, being questioned about the proposed solutions during Anne Will's political talk show. Navid Kermani, a regular guest, expressed concern about the potential crumbling of support for Ukraine as the war continues. The panel also discussed the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with writer Navid Kermani suggesting a need to counter the "either-or" logic and Florence Gaub advocating for a change of government on the Palestinian side. Anne Will's successor, "Tagesthemen" presenter Caren Miosga, was wishfully urged to be treated kindly.
Anne Will's last show included a relaxed guest panel, with historian Raphael Gross from the German Historical Museum Foundation and political scientist Florence Gaub providing objective discussions on global issues such as Ukraine and Israel. The panel considered Germany's special responsibility in the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the need for new solutions from outside perspectives.
Despite the approaching end of her 16-year political talk show journey, Robert Habeck expressed gratitude towards Anne Will for her style-defining enlightenment, praising her for creating a space where guests felt at home. Even when facing tough questions or debates, Anne Will maintained a professional yet assertive demeanor, often provoking and questioning political figures like Robert Habeck.
German politicians joining Anne Will's politically charged talk show in the TV studio included Robert Habeck, member of the Green Party, and senior political figures discusing various topics such as the Constitutional Court, Ukraine, Palestine, and Germany's role in international conflicts. The political talk show provided a platform for open debate, reflecting the intricacies of Germany's politics and its standing in the international community.
Reflecting on her years of hosting the political talk show, Anne Will admitted that the experience was an honor, showcasing her strong commitment to internal and international politics and her dedication to ensuring a balanced and informative news program.
Source: www.stern.de
