Scholz Cabinet Holds Final Meeting Amid Transition

The German government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, convened for what is expected to be its final cabinet meeting in Berlin, marking the conclusion of a three-and-a-half-year term with 131 sessions. Following the collapse of the coalition government, only ministers from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens participated in the meeting. The upcoming election of Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), as the new Chancellor is scheduled for next Tuesday, while Scholz will be honored with a ceremonial military send-off the day prior.

Cabinet meetings typically occur on Wednesdays at the Federal Chancellery, where the Chancellor and ministers discuss and advance legislative proposals that are later debated and voted on in the Bundestag and Bundesrat. This particular session had a concise agenda, with the minority government approving a previously announced pension increase of 3.74% set to take effect on July 1.

Although there were reports of handshakes and a few hugs among the cabinet members, the atmosphere lacked any notable emotional farewells. Observers noted that Scholz appeared cheerful and relaxed, with government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit later describing the environment as "Hanseatic and subdued," aligning with the Chancellor's typically pragmatic demeanor. He also pointed out that a farewell dinner had already taken place on March 25, coinciding with the inaugural meeting of the newly elected Bundestag, during which the outgoing government was only serving in a caretaker capacity.

The last cabinet session lasted approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Scholz expressed his appreciation for the contributions of his ministers and the staff at the Chancellery. Unlike his predecessor, Angela Merkel, who received a bouquet of flowers and a symbolic tree upon her departure in November 2021, there were no gifts or tears exchanged this time.

Notably absent from the meeting was the Vice Chancellor and Green Party leader Robert Habeck, who was reported to be suffering from a feverish cold. Meanwhile, Scholz had a subsequent farewell dinner scheduled in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, alongside his own wife, Britta Ernst.

Although Scholz will remain a member of the Bundestag and has committed to retaining his direct mandate from Potsdam, his former ministers are embarking on different paths. It is anticipated that at least one, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius from the SPD, will continue in the new government, having been recognized as one of Germany's most popular politicians. Financial Minister Jörg Kukies is expected to be succeeded by SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, with indications that Kukies may return to the private sector following substantial discussions during a recent visit to Washington.

Due to regional representation rules, the inclusion of both Pistorius and Klingbeil from Lower Saxony likely precludes a third minister from the same state, suggesting that Labor Minister Hubertus Heil will exit the cabinet but may assume the role of parliamentary group leader. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is also expected to depart as the health portfolio transitions to the CDU, yet he retains his Bundestag seat.

Several SPD ministers, including Klara Geywitz (Construction), Nancy Faeser (Interior), and Svenja Schulze (Development), still have opportunities to remain in the cabinet, with Schulze appearing to have the best chances. Conversely, all Green Party ministers will be leaving the cabinet. Habeck's future in the Bundestag remains uncertain, with recent comments from the Green parliamentary leader suggesting no prior agreement on his potential resignation before the summer recess.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to take on a role as President of the UN General Assembly in New York, a decision that has sparked some controversy. Agricultural and Transition Education Minister Cem Özdemir is returning to Baden-Württemberg to campaign for the position of Minister-President in the upcoming state elections. Family Minister Lisa Paus intends to focus on her responsibilities as a Bundestag member, particularly in areas related to labor, social issues, and budget management.

Transportation Minister Volker Wissing is likely to exit politics altogether and return to his previous profession as a lawyer after remaining in the cabinet as a minister despite the collapse of the coalition government.