Status: 07/15/2022 11:10 a.m
Long meetings, constantly on social media and always under observation: MPs’ jobs are exhausting. And now there are some politicians who also speak publicly of burnout and being overwhelmed.
Peter Tauber is a former CDU general secretary and was in top politics for many years. A life-threatening intestinal disease forced him to leave a year ago: “And then I said: Peter, you talked about it all the time before, you have to pay more attention to your health and it’s very important – and now you have to do it yourself do it too.”
The stress was too much back then – he didn’t notice it for a long time. Only when he got sick. “At some point I caught myself that I was basically just functioning. So this work-eat-sleep-repeat. And then you become blunted. You no longer have the sensitivity that you actually need when dealing with people.” , according to Tauber.
He withdrew from politics after an illness – the former CDU General Secretary Peter Tauber.
Image: dpa
“You are constantly under surveillance”
He’s not the only one who got overwhelmed. The SPD external expert Michael Roth has just returned from a break – he needed it because he was mentally exhausted. Sahra Wagenknecht from the left had a burnout and speaks openly about the high workload. Long working hours are also common in other jobs – but there are two more things in politics, says Tauber:
First of all, you are constantly under observation – everything is, so to speak, publicly evaluated and commented on. Not only in social networks, but also through media. And secondly, the weekend isn’t free either, you just have to be in the constituency, be present, talk to citizens, and answer letters again.
Paula Piechotta is now also under this public observation. She is a member of the Greens, a doctor and has been in the Bundestag since October. Newcomers are often told that the first thing you do in the Bundestag is gain or lose weight, and that your weight doesn’t stay the way it is. And Piechotta is certain: “If you know it from medical practice, that’s a typical example of someone either being under a lot of stress or not getting enough sleep.”
In the Bundestag since October and thus also under public observation – the Green MP Paula Piechotta.
Image: dpa
Harsh tone and constant availability
The often harsh tone on social media, the many crises, constant availability. Is it more stressful now than it used to be? The doctor and member of parliament Piechotta finds it difficult to say. Many things are more strenuous – for example, more communication has to be done. At the same time, many meetings are digital due to Corona, which is a relief for politicians. But there is more talk today about the burden, which is also why it is more visible, emphasizes the Green politician:
I think it’s the same with members of parliament as with the entire population that we simply talk more about what used to be taboo for many people. And the cases in the last legislative period in particular, when two people fell over in the Bundestag in one day, have already led to the fact that people are talking about it more openly overall.
Three years ago, two MPs collapsed during ongoing plenary sessions in the Bundestag. After that, the rules were changed – there should be no longer long night meetings. And yet: just last week, the Bundestag met until 2 a.m. That has to change again – also because night work is unhealthy: “If we have a debate on hop products in the Bundestag at midnight, it’s rarely really necessary,” says Piechotta.
“Time-limited jobs for politicians”
No more night sessions, getting enough sleep and exercising – all of these can help against stress. Tauber also thinks that switching between politics and other jobs is important: “Well, I think it’s a good idea to put a time limit on these jobs for politicians because the burden is so high.” You have to explain all the time, but have little time to absorb things. “And our world is changing so quickly that it takes time to understand and comprehend these changes.”
Despite the stress – Tauber is grateful for the time in top politics, the experiences. But from today’s perspective, he would approach it a little differently: more time off and one day a week completely off.
The Stressed: Politicians Under Pressure
Leonie Schwarzer, ARD Berlin, July 15, 2022 10:25 a.m