Germany: Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has named Alexander Schweitzer, head of the party’s parliamentary group in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, as the country’s new federal labour minister, a party spokesperson told Reuters on Monday.
Schweitzer will succeed Baerbel Bas, who announced her decision to leave the cabinet post and step down as co-leader of the centre-left SPD.
Bas Steps Down Following Family Bereavement
Bas said she would leave her positions to mourn the death of her stepdaughter. She also cited intensified public attacks against her as a factor in her decision to step aside.
Her departure creates a change in the federal labour ministry and the leadership of the SPD, which is part of Germany’s centre-left political landscape.
Schweitzer to Succeed Bas in Federal Cabinet
Schweitzer currently leads the SPD’s parliamentary group in Rhineland-Palatinate, a state in western Germany. His appointment will move him from state-level politics to the federal government, where he will take over responsibility for the labour portfolio.
The announcement was confirmed by an SPD spokesperson to Reuters on October 12. Further details about the transition were not included in the report.