Jens Spahn after resignation: Political future uncertain

Jens Spahn always knew that he was a special politician:

That was undoubtedly true in 2018: Spahn, in his mid-30s, is running for the CDU party leadership as Angela Merkel's successor. Being patient is not Spahn's thing - just like piling deep:

The direct line: Adenauer, Kohl - and Spahn. Who was eliminated in the first round of voting in 2018, but always comes back. Health Minister under Angela Merkel, Union parliamentary group leader under Friedrich Merz, both of whom - to put it carefully - are not among the Spahn ultras. A politician with strong rhetoric and opinions, but also with a supple attitude.

"He can also be loyal"

Recognition for this from the expert: "Jens can be played 360 degrees, for every topic, a real all-rounder, and yes, I want to say that too - he can also be loyal," says CSU boss Markus Söder about "Jens", who can apparently do something other than loyal. Who seemingly effortlessly put up with the affairs surrounding him and the constant whispers about him. The attack and defense dominated - in simple German main sentences, like here on the billion-dollar mask deals at the beginning of the corona pandemic: "I have a clear conscience. I made decisions in the respective situation to the best of my knowledge and belief."

Spahn's double case is not about a factual question. Rather, the political instinct that actually sustained him has apparently deserted him. Surrogacy in the USA, although rejected by his party and himself for a long time? Resignation as parliamentary group leader.

But the expert from Bavaria predicted again shortly afterwards: "I also believe that Jens Spahn's path is not yet over. Someone with such talents and such political power will certainly take on a leading political role at some point."

Opposition loses its favorite enemy

As soon as he got back, Spahn got a seat on the important budget committee. Unusual for alumni; more for those who want to become something more. This seat is now gone too. Instead of the committee, Spahn had apparently put a trip to Sardinia on the agenda.

"It's a win-win-win. It's good for the country, it's good for the budget committee, it's also good for me," laughs Left Party leader Ines Schwertner. Of course, she also knows that the opposition in the Bundestag has lost one of its favorite enemies. The Left and the Greens have worked so hard on almost no politician as they have on Spahn. She still has some hope: "Maybe the CDU will find a second use for him, I don't know..."

Political future uncertain

At least that's what Spahn apparently hopes, as his written statement reads after his withdrawal from the budget committee: "Everything surrounding me is currently so politicized that normal work will hardly be possible." Quite apart from the question of whether Spahn tends to personalize everything that should be political - what does that mean for Spahn's future?

"In consultation with Thorsten Frei, I will initially concentrate on my work for the constituency and my family. We will decide with some time to decide what the focus of my work will be," Spahn announced in that same statement.

Does Spahn really intend to look for his substantive priorities in the team with his successor as Union faction leader? That would be unusual for a man for whom things were always going up, even though or because he often played primarily for his own team.

And who now obviously has to really think about how and whether things will continue for him politically for the first time.