It is a step that is controversial in the traffic light coalition, but Nancy Faeser promises that the office as Federal Minister of the Interior will not suffer as a result: The 52-year-old wants to be the SPD’s top candidate for the Hessian state elections on October 8, but at the same time remain a minister in Berlin. The goal is to replace the CDU after almost 25 years in power. But she only wants to move to Wiesbaden as prime minister – not as opposition leader, as she made clear on Thursday evening in the Willy Brandt House in Berlin when she presented her plans.
“I’m making a clear offer from the very first minute. I’m applying to the Hessians for the office of Prime Minister,” said Faeser. She has for her actions, about which the Southgerman newspaper had already reported on Monday, had the backing of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). Faeser emphasizes that she was already the leader of the opposition in Hesse. “I compete to win.”
Faeser was convinced that the double role is possible. “I will remain Federal Minister of the Interior out of responsibility for our country.” The SPD only plans relatively few campaign dates with Faeser. Times are serious. “Now is not the time to campaign,” said Faeser, referring to the Russian war in Ukraine and its consequences.
Criticism comes from the traffic light coalition
This Friday, she is to be officially named top candidate by the Hessian SPD in Friedewald. “We want good working conditions and fair wages,” she said, referring to the key issues. “And we want the best starting opportunities for all children, an affordable life from rent to public transport, consistent climate protection and respect and security for all people, no matter where they come from or how much they earn.”
But even from the coalition partners in the traffic light alliance, Faeser is now receiving criticism: “The management of the Federal Ministry of the Interior is not a part-time job. Especially not in these times,” said Green interior politician Konstantin von Notz. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, however, does not expect Faeser’s candidacy to affect her work as minister. “I can say about Nancy Faeser, who I know is a very, very conscientious woman: she will do everything she has to do every day for the task she has,” said Scholz on Thursday in a question and answer session with citizens in Hesse marburg
According to the most recent survey in Hesse, the CDU was 27 percent ahead of the SPD and the Greens, each with 22 percent – but it dates from October. The last SPD Prime Minister in Hesse was Hans Eichel before Roland Koch became Prime Minister in 1999. Since then, the CDU has governed, since 2014 with the Greens.
Faeser has considerable tasks to do – the criticism of the double role lets them roll off for the time being. The social democrat, who was brought to Berlin by Olaf Scholz in 2021 and is said to have a good connection to the chancellor, heads one of the largest departments in the government with the Federal Ministry of the Interior and its 19 subordinate authorities. Their responsibilities range from the fight against terrorism and the protection of the constitution to civil protection and asylum issues through to civil service law. Many municipalities also warn that the increasing number of refugees will overwhelm them. In addition, there is now the top candidate in an election campaign.
Röttgen tried the double role in 2012 – and failed
Faeser rejects parallels to the Norbert Röttgen case. The CDU politician was Federal Minister for the Environment in 2012 and ran as a top candidate in North Rhine-Westphalia – but was previously not at home in state politics. In the state election campaign, he left it vague as to whether or not he wanted to become opposition leader in Düsseldorf in the event of defeat. Röttgen lost the election – and also his ministerial post in Berlin. The then Chancellor Angela Merkel dismissed him.
Faeser now said that the cases were not comparable: “I am deeply rooted in Hesse, I have been involved in local and state politics for more than half my life.” In view of the criticism, especially from the CDU, the Social Democrats refer to the former Interior Minister Manfred Kanther (CDU), who also stood as the top candidate in a state election in Hesse in 1995 and remained in office after he was unable to form a government in Wiesbaden.
Faeser points out that running for office from a government office is not unusual. “I handle it just like Olaf Scholz and Armin Laschet in the federal election campaign, like Angela Merkel in many previous election campaigns.” However, the next surveys will show how the commitment to only go back home as head of government is received by the local citizens.