Speculations in the media about a postponement
In contrast to speculations in the media about a postponement until the end of
the SPD membership ballot, the three parties have also published the full list of
the cabinet members.
Here the nomination of Olaf Scholz (SPD), at present
Governing Mayor of Hamburg dominates the headlines. Mr Scholz belongs to
the parties’ moderate, centre wing. As a Finance Minister Scholz is likely to
pursue a pragmatic approach, like his party mate Steinbrück, the Finance
Minister in Merkel’s first Groko.
Martin Schulz will take the Foreign Office.
Surprisingly, he announced to resign as the SPD party leader in favour of
Andrea Nahles, the SPD party whip in the Bundestag who will become the
party’s most powerful person.
Also, in contrast to speculations, the CDU’s cabinet member list does hardly
offer a hint to a solution for the “Chancellor Merkel’s successor” conundrum.
Ursula von der Leyen will remain Defence Minister and Peter Altmaier, at
present head of the Chancellery and temporarily Finance Minister will become
Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy.
The outgoing Bavarian Prime Minister and CSU leader, Horst Seehofer, one of the most outspoken criticis of
Chancellor Merkel’s once liberal asylum policy, will join the cabinet as Interior,
Construction and Homeland Minister and represent the CDU/CSU’s traditional
conservative camp.
EU Forecast
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