Candidate for chancellor: Habeck thought about withdrawing more than once

Green Party candidate for chancellor Robert Habeck has considered ending his political career at least twice in the past year. “Last summer I reflected on myself. I asked myself whether I could still make a meaningful contribution or whether I should stop politics altogether,” the Federal Minister of Economics told “Spiegel”.

In an interview published in “Zeit” in December, Habeck had already reported that he was considering withdrawing, but at that time in connection with a protest by farmers against him at the ferry pier in Schlüttsiel in Schleswig-Holstein that got out of hand a year ago. “Then politics broke into my private, family safe space.” The family then discussed leaving politics. “The answer from all of us was: No. Especially now,” he said in the interview.

At that time, Habeck answered the “Zeit” question whether he had ever been tempted to give up everything during the three traffic light years. “Not out of frustration with the government partners or the setbacks, no, not that. There is a deep motivation to carry on,” said Habeck.

In “Spiegel” he brought up the topic on his own initiative. When asked why he had thought about withdrawing in the summer, he explained: “The experience at the traffic lights. Trust has suffered. In politics as a whole, in people, including mine. And in the summer I asked myself what I “I start with this finding: Can I still regain trust – in myself, in the Greens and in the democratic system of this country.”

Habeck interview with “Spiegel” (pay barrier) Habeck interview with “Zeit” (pay barrier)