Alexander Dobrindt: The indispensable mediator in the government coalition

When the Union was recently looking for a new parliamentary group leader, his name kept coming up: Alexander Dobrindt. As we know, someone else got the job. What was interesting, however, were the reasons behind the scenes. For example, that in this position Dobrindt could have stolen the show from his party chairman, CSU leader Markus Söder. Or that where he was now, at the head of the Interior Ministry, he was simply indispensable. Some in the Union expressed regret that Dobrindt could not be cloned.

Dobrindt has an ability that is urgently needed in the government coalition between the Union and the SPD: He can mediate between widely divergent positions, with a sensitivity for nuances that the SPD also grants him, while it often misses it in the Chancellor. Dobrindt is valued as reliable and willing to compromise and was already an important link in the coalition negotiations.

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But Dobrindt's skills are also important in his current position. The Interior Minister is considered one of the strongest ministers in Merz's cabinet - and one of the most stressed. In addition to the mammoth task of effectively limiting migration, he must provide a strong defense against Russia's hybrid attacks and protect the critical infrastructure against attacks from both outside and inside. The goal is to get to the forefront of the situation, so that you no longer just react, but rather actively set limits and avert danger.

Quick thinking, rich in experience

Dobrindt not only uses his quick thinking, which is also recognized by his political opponents, but also his long experience in the Bundestag. The 56-year-old Upper Bavarian has been a member of the group for almost a quarter of a century, since 2002. He previously completed his studies in Munich with a degree in sociology and then ran a medium-sized mechanical engineering company for a few years.

The versatility expressed in this is also reflected in his political career: Dobrindt proved himself as CSU general secretary with a number of modernizations; The party introduced a women's quota during his term in office. From 2013 to 2017 he took over the Federal Ministry of Transport; The car toll plan and the emissions scandal earned him severe criticism. As state group leader of the CSU in the Bundestag, he was then able to better exploit his ability to influence the internal affairs.