Steinmeier to appoint Schweitzer labour minister today – oath in Bundestag to follow
A day after Bärbel Bas resigned, former Rhineland-Palatinate premier Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) is due to receive his certificate of appointment at 5 p.m.
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Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier plans to appoint Alexander Schweitzer of the Social Democrats (SPD) as Germany's new labour minister at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The president's office announced the handover of the certificate for that time, Handelsblatt reported. Before Schweitzer can take over the ministry, he must still be sworn in by the Bundestag; the report gave no date for that.
Bärbel Bas resigned with immediate effect on Monday as labour minister and as SPD co-leader. She cited the death of her stepdaughter and public attacks, "unfortunately also from the ranks of the coalition partner." Conservative politicians had accused her of delaying reform bills, including on pensions. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said: "Her decision deserves respect." Bas remains a member of parliament.
Schweitzer, a 53-year-old lawyer, was premier of Rhineland-Palatinate until 2026 and previously served as the state's labour and social affairs minister from 2021 to 2024; he currently leads the SPD group in the Mainz state parliament. According to ZDF, the SPD plans to elect a new party leadership in December or January. The CSU wants the pension package presented "still in October."