Simone Oldenburg is not seeking any further ministerial office

The left-wing politician Simone Oldenburg is not seeking another ministerial post in a future coalition in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The 57-year-old told the German Press Agency that she was forgoing it for private reasons. The past few months have been a particularly difficult time for her family. «My husband's illness cost us a lot of energy. I will continue to closely support my husband's positive health development. That’s why I’m not seeking a ministerial office in a future coalition.”

But she doesn't want to withdraw from politics completely. “Of course, I will continue to work for the party and parliamentary group in order to overcome the challenges in the state and to fight for social balance and justice for the people of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.”

The teacher and later school principal has been a member of the state parliament for the Left since 2011. From 2016 to 2021 she was parliamentary group leader. She has been education minister in the state since mid-November. After the state elections last Sunday, the Left is expected to start exploratory talks with the Greens and the SPD next week.

Left regional leader Hennis Herbst thanked Oldenburg for her work. In recent years she has taken on responsibility for the party and, above all, for the people in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. “I am glad that we can continue to rely on her political and technical expertise as well as her experience in the state parliamentary group and in possible coalition negotiations.” The party asked that no further questions be asked about Oldenburg's private circumstances.