Schweitzer Set to Become Germany’s New Labor Minister
The former Rhineland-Palatinate premier is due to receive his certificate of appointment one day after Bärbel Bas stepped down. Before he can take charge of the ministry, he still has to be sworn in by the Bundestag.
Alexander Schweitzer, a 53-year-old center-left SPD member, is set to become Germany's new Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was scheduled to formally appoint him at 5 p.m. today. The outgoing minister, Bärbel Bas, announced her immediate resignation on Monday, citing a family death and public attacks against her.
Schweitzer, who has served as a minister on the state level, previously headed the labor and social affairs ministry in Rhineland-Palatinate twice. His potential move to Berlin has been speculated since his election loss to the CDU in March. Schweitzer, the son of a waterway skipper, has a background in basketball and music, and is a proud vegan.
Written by urgent.news from The Berlin Spectator's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
