Economy minister seeking German chancellorship

Robert Habeck’s announcement comes days after the ruling ‘traffic-light’ coalition fell apart amid disputes over the budget

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has announced his bid for the chancellorship on the behalf of the Green party, a move that comes days after the collapse of the ruling coalition.

With the EU’s economic powerhouse grappling with rising inflation and a continuing economic downturn, many Germans have pinned the blame on the Greens and Habeck personally, according to the local media. Opinion polls show the Greens currently having an approval rating of around 10%.

In a video address on YouTube on Friday, Habeck, who also serves as vice chancellor, spoke of the many crises affecting the everyday life of ordinary Germans. He also warned that “peace and freedom are under pressure unseen for a long time, also here [in Germany].”

“That’s why I have made a decision, that’s why I run for office once again,” the minister proclaimed, saying he is “ready to offer my experience, my strength and my responsibility. Also as a chancellor, if you want.”

While acknowledging “mistakes,” the official stressed that he was willing to earn his “claim to leadership.”

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He also took a swipe at populists for supposedly fomenting an “edgy [and] gloomy” atmosphere in Germany, and accused Moscow of supporting such political forces.

According to the minister, “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war [against Ukraine] has brought inflation to Germany, and made life, your life, much more expensive.”

Meanwhile, Habeck’s former colleague, the head of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Christian Lindner, took to X to express his incredulity at the announcement. “Crazy. Now majority, but already two chancellor candidates in the government,” he wrote, apparently referring to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who hopes to keep the top job.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union and nominee for chancellor from the party, pointed out the Greens' poor showing in opinion polls, as quoted by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

On Wednesday, Scholz sacked Lindner, who had served as finance minister. This led to the FDP exiting the coalition, thus precipitating its collapse.

Scholz cited for the dismissal his former minister's refusal to approve his spending plan, which, among other items, included increased aid for Ukraine.

According to media reports, the rift came to a head when Lindner proposed early elections after the three parties failed to agree on how to address the multibillion-euro deficit in next year’s budget.

At the helm of a minority government now, Scholz has announced that the Bundestag will hold a vote of confidence on January 15. Should he fail to secure sufficient support, snap elections could be held in March 2025.