New Prime Minister in Rhineland-Palatinate: Alexander Schweitzer takes over the helm

New Prime Minister in Rhineland-Palatinate: Alexander Schweitzer takes over the helm

New Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer takes over the helm in Rhineland-Palatinate

On Wednesday, Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) was elected as the new Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate. The 50-year-old politician succeeds Malu Dreyer, who had announced her withdrawal from politics after eleven years at the top of the government.

Schweitzer, who previously worked as a ment of work and social minet in the Dreyer cabinet, received 57 votes in the first ballot. This support, which has more than the ruling traffic light coalition of SPD, FDP and Greens in the state parliament, is considered a strong mandate for the new prime minister.

The Wahl Schweitzers marks the end of an era under Malu Dreyer, a pioneering politician in Rhineland-Palatinate. The 63-year-old politician, who is publicly dealing with her multiple sclerosis disease, justified her retreat with declining forces for the demanding office.

In his inaugural speech, Schweitzer emphasized the continuity of his predecessor's policy, but also announced his own accents. "We will continue the successful course of recent years, but also decided to make new challenges such as climate change and digital transformation," said the new Prime Minister.

Political observers expect Schweitzer to make some reorganizations in the cabinet in the coming weeks. You are particularly excited about the occupation of the now vacant post of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.

The opposition in the state parliament, led by the CDU and AfD, congratulated Schweitzer on election, but also announced a critical accompaniment of his office. CDU parliamentary group leader Christian Baldauf emphasized: "We will work together constructively, where it serves the country, but also significantly raise our voice, where we see undesirable developments."

With the change at the top government, a new political era begins in Rhineland-Palatinate. It remains to be seen how Alexander Schweitzer will continue the heritage of Malu Dreyers and at the same time set his own impulses for the future of the federal state.

- Nag