Government - Reactions to the election of Prime Minister Schweitzer
Former Minister-Presidents:
"I am very happy that he is taking on this important task, as I am convinced he can do it, and because I am convinced he is what I have always valued, namely close to the people", said the former Rhineland-Palatinate Minister-President Kurt Beck (SPD). He wished him the necessary composure and perseverance. "I believe he will manage it."
Beck's predecessors as Rhineland-Palatinate Minister-President, Rudolf Scharping (SPD), described Schweitzer as down-to-earth and forward-looking. "And he will make a good Minister-President." Scharping advised him against public advice: "You know that public advice is sometimes a slap in the face", said Scharping. "That should be avoided."
Neighbors:
Greetings also came from neighboring North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. Hessen's head Boris Rhein (CDU) wished Schweitzer "much strength, decision-making power & a lucky hand".
The north Rhine-Westphalian Minister-President Hendrik Wüst wrote on X, he looked forward to cooperation in the Minister-President conference and in the Bundesrat. "On continued good cooperation & neighborly relationships".
Parties:
The Greens in Rhineland-Palatinate acknowledged Schweitzer's long-term experience. He was stepping into big footsteps. The FDP fraction spoke of a successful work in the traffic light coalition. "His previous work as chairman of the SPD fraction and Social Minister of the state was characterized by great openness towards the views of three different coalition partners", said the chairman Philipp Fernis. They were convinced that Schweitzer in his new role would follow the course of cooperation and dialogue.
From his own fraction came of course greetings. "Today begins in political Rhineland-Palatinate a new time, which holds much for the country and its citizens", said the chairman of the SPD fraction Sabine Bätzing-Lichtenthaeler.
The Free Voters set the new head of government directly under pressure. "Alexander Schweitzer will not have the usual 100 days in office", said fraction leader Joachim Streit. "There are too many things that are burning under the fingernails of the people: housing shortage, high energy prices, missing kindergarten places - to name just three." Streit demanded that Schweitzer make health care a top priority. The AfD fraction criticized Schweitzer's election as "old wine in new bottles".
Police and Crafts:
The Rhineland-Palatinate police union (GdP) wishes the new Minister-President a good start. They hope for an "open ear for the concerns of police officers", the GdP stated. With Malu Dreyer, it was easy to talk about police matters. "Nothing human seemed foreign to them."
Churches in Rhineland-Palatinate
The leading clerics of the three evangelical churches in Rhineland-Palatinate wish Schweitzer strength and health, courage and creativity for his new task. This was expressed in a joint statement by the pastors of the Evangelical Churches in Hesse and Nassau, in Rhineland and in the Palatinate. "We know from our encounters of the past years that we have in him a dedicated contact person for the church."
The Trier Bishop Stephan Ackermann wishes Schweitzer "good luck in the exercise of this responsible task" and God's blessing. Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann from Speyer values the new state chief as an active and human-oriented politician. He wishes him, among other things, foresight, strength, endurance, and the necessary composure.
- In response to the announcement, the former Minister-President of Hesse, Boris Rhine (CDU), sent his best wishes to the new Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate, Alexander Schweitzer.
- Hendrik Wüst, the current Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, expressed his anticipation for collaboration in the Minister-President conference and the Bundesrat with Schweitzer.
- The Greens in Rhineland-Palatinate recognized Schweitzer's extensive experience and acknowledged that he was stepping into significant footsteps.
- The chairman of the FDP fraction in Rhineland-Palatinate, Philipp Fernis, commended Schweitzer's work in the traffic light coalition and was confident that he would continue to prioritize cooperation and dialogue.
- The SPD fraction chairman, Sabine Bätzing-Lichtenthaeler, highlighted the beginning of a new era in political Rhineland-Palatinate and wished Schweitzer success for the country and its citizens.
- Joachim Streit, the leader of the Free Voters fraction, placed pressure on Schweitzer to prioritize healthcare, acknowledging the various challenges the citizens face such as housing shortages and high energy prices.
- The AfD fraction criticized Schweitzer's election as simply "old wine in new bottles," citing their opposition to the new Minister-President.
- The Rhineland-Palatinate police union (GdP) expressed hope for an "open ear for the concerns of police officers" from Schweitzer, recognizing the effective communication with his predecessor, Malu Dreyer.
- Bishop Stephan Ackermann from Trier and Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann from Speyer both wished Schweitzer "good luck in the exercise of this responsible task," blessing him with courage, strength, foresight, and composure in his new position.
