Brandenburg's Interior Minister Wilke: Commuting in a rolling office!

Brandenburg's Interior Minister Wilke: Commuting in a rolling office!

Brandenburg's Interior Minister René Wilke, who has been in office since May 2023, is currently attracting attention primarily because of his unconventional way of working. The non-party minister does not run his office from Potsdam, where the state government is located, but commutes daily from his hometown of Frankfurt (Oder). In his company car, he turns car journeys into a “rolling office”, where he regularly holds telephone and video conferences. As the South German newspaper reports, he will continue to live in Frankfurt because contact with the people and issues in East Brandenburg is important to him.

Wilke's workday begins early in the morning, often as early as 6:30 a.m., and he works late into the night, sometimes until 11:30 p.m. or even midnight. This intensity has increased significantly compared to his previous role as mayor. The move to ministerial level brings with it new challenges, but he remains connected to the citizens of his hometown.

Political challenges and backgrounds

Wilke's political home is the Left, but it missed out on entering the state parliament last year. His appointment as Interior Minister could offer a new perspective for disappointed left-wing supporters. Wilke himself emphasizes that support for office should not just be party-based. It's more about recognizing who is suitable for the respective tasks. This perspective could be important in Brandenburg's current political landscape, characterized by the increasing AfD presence. Loud T Online Wilke shares many positions with the coalition partner BSW, especially in economic, migration and social policy.

Another point that is weighing on the government under Prime Minister Woidke is the internal unrest, especially from Sahra Wagenknecht, who is focusing on BSW Minister Katja Wolf. Wilke criticizes Wagenknecht's behavior, especially her derogatory statements about other political actors and her attitude towards the government. Woidke's unified support is seen as essential to address the political challenges more effectively. However, Woidke himself is described as someone who currently does not exude the calm that would be desirable for a prime minister.

The structure of the state government

The federal government of the state of Brandenburg, consisting of the prime minister and the state ministers, plays a central role in the state's politics. The Prime Minister is elected by the state parliament in a secret vote and has the responsibility to determine the guidelines of government policy. The ministers themselves manage their departments independently, within the framework conditions set by the Prime Minister. Weekly cabinet meetings in the State Chancellery are crucial for addressing important political policy issues and for the development of legislative proposals, as can be read on the official website of the state of Brandenburg: Brandenburg.de.

Overall, it shows that René Wilkes' approach brings with it both opportunities and challenges, and his unconventional working model could well serve as a role model for future political agendas.