After resignation
Change completed: Paus is the new family minister
Lisa Paus is the new Federal Minister for Family Affairs. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa Pool/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
First change of personnel in the traffic light cabinet: The Family Ministry is now headed by Lisa Paus. She received the certificate of appointment from Federal President Steinmeier.
After the resignation of Federal Family Minister Anne Spiegel, the change at the head of the department has been completed. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented the Greens politician with the certificate of dismissal on Monday in Berlin.
Her successor Lisa Paus (Greens) received the certificate of appointment. Spiegel had stumbled over her behavior as Rhineland-Palatinate Environment Minister during the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley in July 2021 with 134 fatalities. About ten days later, she left for France on a four-week family vacation. The Green politician justified this by saying that the vacation was necessary because of the great burden on her family.
Respect for Anne Spiegel
According to the text of the speech published in advance, Steinmeier said that Spiegel deserves respect for her resignation. She had big plans for her ministry and was aware of her great responsibility. “I wish for myself and our country that you continue to commit yourself courageously and resolutely to your issues.”
The Federal President called for an open and honest debate on the compatibility of gainful employment and family responsibilities. This must take place in a social climate in which mothers and fathers can also talk about difficulties and excessive demands without having to fear being labeled as weak or failed. “The expectation that work and family life must be compatible, or made compatible, always, everywhere and for everyone, creates unnecessary pressure where forbearance, compassion and pragmatic solutions are required.”
Steinmeier wishes Paus “a happy hand”
Steinmeier wished Paus “a lot of success, good luck and a happy hand”. She has earned a good reputation in the Bundestag as an experienced financial and economic politician, who not least helped to design the concept of basic security for children. “As Federal Minister for Family Affairs, you are now required to put this large and complex project of the coalition into action.”
Paus has always fought for a fairer society in state and federal politics, in questions of tax policy as well as affordable housing or the concerns of single parents.
“In your new office you are now faced with the task of achieving more justice,” said Steinmeier. Among other things, he recalled that the Corona crisis had hit many families, children, young people and old people particularly hard.