Change of office in the State Chancellery - Schweitzer new Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate
With the election of Alexander Schweitzer as Ministerpresident, a new era begins in Rhineland-Palatinate. The SPD politician from the Palatinate succeeds Malu Dreyer, who is stepping down from politics after 22 years as a government member. The 63-year-old jurist and social politician Schweitzer sees a greater change coming for the state. "This land Rhineland-Palatinate will change. And we will accept these changes, and we will see the opportunities in these changes," Schweitzer said in his first speech as head of government. He cited challenges such as climate change and an increasingly older population as examples. It's about "protection and opportunities," Schweitzer said. Schweitzer thanked his predecessor for the long-term close cooperation. She had always kept the style of her communication and dealing with people in politics. "There was never an outside and an inside Malu Dreyer, there was always only one Malu Dreyer, she was often a demanding Malu Dreyer," Schweitzer said. As Ministerpresident, she had shaped and led the state.
Great confidence vote for Schweitzer
The 100 deputies present in the parliament elected Schweitzer in the first round with a large majority. He received 57 votes in a secret ballot. The government coalition of SPD, FDP, and Greens has 54 votes. Therefore, Schweitzer also received three votes from opposition deputies - from the CDU, AfD, or Free Voters. Four deputies abstained from the vote.
Schweitzer's election was considered a foregone conclusion. However, the politician had said a few days ago, "I'm a little more anxious than usual." He wants to set accents in education policy, make stronger politics, and make the regions stronger and foster dialogue with the people - as a basis for democracy.
The 63-year-old Dreyer had announced her retirement in June, shortly after the European and municipal elections, although she still had a lot to accomplish. But the strength is gone from her, Dreyer said, who has been suffering from multiple sclerosis for many years. "My batteries don't charge up as quickly anymore."
Many emotions at Dreyer's last appearance
At her last appearance in parliament, the tension and emotions were noticeable in the long-standing government leader. At the beginning of her speech, the usually brilliant orator could barely be understood, and her radiant smile and laughter were nowhere to be seen. "I really want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart that I still have the opportunity to speak from this speaker's podium," she said with a faltering voice. "You can tell, it's a heavy day today. It's been a tough day for me since this morning. When I went to the state chancellery, I realized it was really the last day."
Beside many thank you words to political allies, family, and friends, Dreyer called for the defense of democracy. This might be the greatest challenge of our time, next to climate change. The public debates have become very rough. The enemies of democracy must be confronted and opposed resolutely. "Our democracy is far from perfect. But it is still the best we have," said Dreyer.
At the end, she addressed the people of Rhineland-Palatinate directly and thanked them for trust, support, and backing. She urged them to stay united. "I go with great gratitude. It was a great honor for me to be their Minister-President," she said. After a prolonged applause of the parliamentarians, the government, and the guests in the Landtag following her speech, Dreyer dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
Landtag President honors Dreyer's neighborliness
Landtag President Hendrik Hering honored Dreyer's neighborliness and attachment to her hometown in his speech. In the parliament and with the people, it was always about encounters at eye level for her, he said. "'The Malu' – as many call her – was a neighborly Minister-President, and the citizens respected her for that."
Not only in small matters in Rhineland-Palatinate, but also on the big stage and during her tenure as President of the Bundesrat, Dreyer made a name for herself. She was one of the most prominent Minister-Presidents and Ministers in Germany. "All these big stages could Malu Dreyer easily handle, and yet she did not aspire to federal politics: because her hometown of Rhineland-Palatinate was always more important – more important," said Hering.
The 63-year-old is retiring from politics after eleven years as head of government. The timing of her self-determined departure is considered optimal. The next Landtag election is in 2026, and Schweitzer has enough time to establish himself in the office. The offspring of a family of inland shippers was Dreyer's successor once before, in 2013 as Social Minister. At the same time, the party leadership will also be renewed and restructured. Roger Lewentz (61) is expected to succeed Bätzing-Lichtenthäler (49) as Fraktionschef and Landeschefin in September, who has been working closely with Schweitzer for a long time.
A new face in the cabinet
Since the Landtag election in 2021, Schweitzer has been Minister for Labor, Social Affairs, Transformation, and Digitalization in Dreyer's second traffic light coalition government. His successor in this position is the SPD politician from North Rhine-Westphalia, Dorothee Schall. Schweitzer knows the 46-year-old almost 30 years from the Jusos, as does Bätzing-Lichtenthäler.
Nothing changes in the cabinet except for this, the other five ministers and three ministers remain in office, and there is no reshuffle planned, Schweitzer announced. The proportion of women in the government remains unchanged. Schweitzer had already announced in his first statement that, after the next Landtag election, he would prefer to govern with the Greens and FDP.
It is expected that the new Minister-President will express himself more pointedly on federal political issues than Dreyer. Schweitzer, who calls himself a "passionate parliamentarian" and was known for his sharp and spontaneous speeches even during his seven years as Fraktionschef (2014-2021), will certainly be heard more frequently in the Landtag as Minister-President.
The Man Schweitzer in Focus
It remains to be seen if he will manage to gain as much sympathy among the Rhineland-Palatines as his popular predecessor. He has already announced an "intensive summer." "I want to go where the people are and form opinions. That's also TikTok and the taverns." And unlike Dreyer, he will not be associated with the Ahr flood disaster with a total of 136 deaths, which occurred for the third time this weekend.
- In his first speech as head of government, the newly elected Ministerpresident of Rhineland-Palatinate, Alexander Schweitzer, mentioned the need to address challenges such as climate change and an aging population.
- The change of office from Malu Dreyer to Alexander Schweitzer happened after 22 years of Dreyer's service as a government member in Rhineland-Palatinate.
- The primary political party in the new coalition government, along with the FDP and Greens, is the CDU, as stated by Schweitzer in relation to his policies.
- Alexander Schweitzer expressed gratitude towards his predecessor Malu Dreyer for their long-term cooperative relationship and her consistent style of communication in politics.
- According to Hendrik Hering, the Landtag President, Dreyer was known for her neighborly demeanor and her strong attachment to her hometown in Rhineland-Palatinate.
- In her final speech in parliament, Malu Dreyer called for the defense and protection of democracy, stating that it remains the best option we have, despite its imperfections.
- The new Ministerpresident, Alexander Schweitzer, is expected to be more vocal and expressive on federal political issues compared to his predecessor, Malu Dreyer.
- Dorothee Schall from North Rhine-Westphalia is set to replace Schweitzer in his previous position as Minister for Labor, Social Affairs, Transformation, and Digitalization in Rhineland-Palatinate.
- The political landscape in Rhineland-Palatinate is undergoing a significant change with the new era beginning under the leadership of Alexander Schweitzer, as the SPD politician acknowledged during his first speech as Ministerpresident.
