“Bas gave everything as minister,” said Miersch – Schweitzer wants “less corners of his mouth turned down”

The future Federal Labor Minister Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) has called for more confidence. “A little less downward corners of the mouth,” he said on Tuesday in a joint press statement with Vice Chancellor and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil in Berlin. At the same time, he advocated being happy about living in a democracy. “I believe that democracy is more contested than ever before.”

The former Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate emphasized that he was looking forward to working with Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), whom he had already met. "A little bit of Rhineland-Palatinate in Berlin can't hurt either. We know how to get along with each other and how to achieve results."

Schweitzer described a “whirlpool of emotions”; at the same time he felt motivation and determination. “I also consider it a great honor that I can stand here.” He thanked his predecessor Bärbel Bas for her work: "She has set up the house excellently. The house is very motivated." He has already had initial discussions.

Schweitzer described the welfare state as a promise that had to do with freedom and one's own development opportunities. For his work he announced: "In the end we need decisions, but they have to flow into a legislative process. I want to do everything I can to achieve this."

Klingbeil spoke of a special moment and said of the designated labor minister: “I am firmly convinced that Alexander Schweitzer is the right one.” The government has the chance of a major compromise on pensions. However, there is still a need for clarification on many points of content.

“This government can do this if everyone is willing to move on content,” said Klingbeil. It is also about securing industrial jobs. "We want a strong industry. That's what the government is concerned about." He is looking forward to working with Schweitzer.

On Monday, Bas surprisingly announced her resignation as Federal Labor Minister and SPD co-chair. The SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch said on Tuesday: “In the end, it depends on how we treat each other.” This has been problematic in various places. But he wanted to emphasize: “Bärbel Bas gave everything for the ministerial office.” She adhered to all deadlines when it came to agreements. He hopes that respect for their performance will be the focus.

Schweitzer was named as his successor in the ministry. Because of the change, Klingbeil canceled the first part of his planned trip to Asia with appointments in New Delhi on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bas's successor at the top of the party is still open. According to Klingbeil, the entire SPD leadership will be re-elected at a federal party conference towards the end of the year.