The social democrat Rolf Mützenich is something of a gentleman in politics. There aren’t many of them. It was all the more remarkable that after the resignation of Andrea Nahles, he became parliamentary group leader of the SPD. Ironically, someone who is not regarded as a strict organizer, but as a clever, humble, sometimes almost quiet head of the Bundestag members. Some initially doubted this choice; but it didn’t take long and most of them were just enthusiastic about him.
From this point of view, it almost sounds logical that the SPD co-chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans would now like to promote him to President of the Bundestag. It would be an honor for Mützenich, of course. For the SPD, however, it would be a serious mistake. That has nothing to do with Mützenich, but a lot to do with the state of the country. If the traffic light parties do not split apart, Olaf Scholz will become a Social Democrat Federal Chancellor. And if Frank-Walter Steinmeier does not fall on his head, he will remain Federal President (with the SPD party book inactive) at least until the Federal Assembly in mid-February. For the time after that, only one thing is clear: that he will compete again.
If the SPD is serious about the new beginning, then it has to nominate a woman
Which brings you back to Mützenich. And the question of whether the SPD should also nominate a man for the head of parliament. If you take seriously the words of the SPD, which has long advocated more equality, more women in power and more political participation for everyone, then the answer can only be: No, it shouldn’t do that. Otherwise she would be completely the old SPD again: with nice words and men at the top.
Anyone who writes this, of course, has to reckon with the claim that they were looking for, but unfortunately did not find a suitable woman. But that would be simply wrong. Anyone who wants to signal a new beginning and a new beginning will find a representative among 86 women in the parliamentary group who may not yet be able to do everything and not know everything (which also applied to Wolfgang Schäuble), but would of course be able to fill this office.
For example, there is Michelle Müntefering. She is 41 and not only has a famous name, but has also been Minister of State in the Foreign Office for the past four years, on missions that are sometimes beautiful and sometimes uncomfortable. She has entered parliament for the third time – why shouldn’t she be able to?
Why shouldn’t Rolf Mützenich stay what he is?
Or there is Aydan Özoğus. Yes, the 54-year-old is not popular with everyone, but she has been elected to the Bundestag for the fourth time. And she brings experience and stature with her where the SPD urgently needs it: In the milieus of millions of immigrant families who have been fighting for decades to belong. Sure, Özoğus was not always pleasant for the SPD. Because she can be charming and angry. And in the 2017 coalition negotiations between the Union and the SPD, she was defeated as Minister of State for Integration because the Chancellor still needed a job for the CDU. But anyone who asked around in migrant associations and families at the time quickly learned what a positive effect they had left there. What kind of message would that be: A courageous social democrat with immigrant roots as President of the Bundestag!
And Rolf Mützenich? He could and should of course do what he has done very successfully in recent years: remain group leader. Unless the gentleman entered the cabinet as a minister. You could use someone like him there, too.