Dear Reader,
The last pieces of the coalition puzzle fell into place on Monday, clearing the way for the confirmation of the new German government later this week.
On Monday morning, Olaf Scholz confirmed the SPD ministers in his future cabinet, with Christine Lambrecht being promoted from Justice to the tricky portfolio of Defence. Relative unknown Nancy Faeser has been plucked from state politics in Hessen to head one of the most powerful ministries in the country - the interior minister.
Disappearing from the scene is Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who is presumably being punished for the mishandled departure from Afghanistan this summer. Maas’ waning influence within the party has also been seen on pandemic policy. Two weeks ago he categorically ruled out vaccine mandates under the SPD, only for Scholz to publicly support such a measure last week (see below).
Noticeable is the fact that there are no rival ‘big beasts’ whom Scholz has had to accommodate. While Gerhard Schröder had to fin…
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