Green politician Robert Habeck wants to stay in the Bundestag – and sends a video message
He took his time with the decision: Robert Habeck wants to exercise his mandate as a member of the Bundestag.
Green politician Robert Habeck will remain in the Bundestag. He announced in a video posted on social media that he was accepting the mandate. The day after the election, Habeck announced that he no longer wanted to hold a top position in the Greens.
This had sparked speculation that he might give up his Bundestag mandate.
Thank you for your messages, thank you for the encouragement. I want to tell you: you are still needed! Stay with us, keep your courage, your strength and your confidence. Our country needs that, the world needs that perhaps more than ever. See you soon. Take care! pic.twitter.com/DtjJLcSAFo
— Robert Habeck (@roberthabeck) February 26, 2025
More than 300,000 people recently called on Habeck not to withdraw from politics. "We understand that the last few weeks have demanded a lot from you," says an online petition on Campact's campaign platform weact. "Nevertheless, we are turning to you because we are convinced that Germany, Europe and the world need you. Especially in the current times, retreat and giving in is not an option."
The petition entitled "Open letter to Robert Habeck" was launched on Tuesday and had already been supported by over 306,000 people by Wednesday afternoon. "You are a beacon of hope for many," it says. "And beacon of hope must not leave when they are needed most, but must take on leadership and responsibility."
Habeck no longer wants a leadership positionGreen Party candidate for chancellor Habeck announced on Monday that he no longer wanted to take on a leadership position in the Green Party for the time being. "I will no longer seek a leading role in the Green Party's personnel table," he stressed. Habeck, currently Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs, was re-elected to the Bundestag. The Green Party's top candidate left it open whether he would take up his mandate.
The author of the open letter, Berlin Green Party member Konstantin Kugler, told the AFP news agency: "With the petition, I would first and foremost like to give a voice to the hundreds of thousands of people in Germany who want to express their support, thanks or recognition to Robert Habeck as a person and leader." He considers Habeck "one of the best politicians of our time," said Kugler.
The result of 11.6 percent in the election was disappointing for the Greens, after 14.7 percent in the last federal election. The party had entered the race with Habeck as candidate for chancellor and had hoped for at least a participation in government - a hope that has now been dashed.
Berliner-zeitung
