Praise for compromise
Merkel bids Trittin a cheerful retirement
May 13, 2024, 10:00 p.m
Listen to article
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
More than 25 years ago, Angela Merkel inherited the Green Party’s Jürgen Trittin as head of the Environment Ministry. However, there was no coalition formed during the long years of her chancellorship. At the current reception to mark the departure of the Green veteran from politics, the CDU politician regrets this.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel, several Green ministers and members of the parliamentary group have said goodbye to party veteran Jürgen Trittin. According to participants in Berlin, Merkel regretted in her speech that there was no black-green coalition in 2013. She also emphasized that the attempt to form a Jamaica alliance between the CDU/CSU, the Greens and the FDP failed in 2017 neither because of the two percent target for defense spending nor because of the Greens and certainly not because of Trittin. According to the NATO countries’ goal, defense spending should increase to two percent of economic output.
Trittin announced in December that he would resign from his Bundestag mandate. At the beginning of January he left parliament after around 25 years. From 1998 to 2005 he was Minister of the Environment. Merkel was Trittin’s predecessor in this office from 1994 to 1998.
He also held positions as party and parliamentary group leader. In recent years, Trittin has appeared primarily as a foreign policy expert. In July he will celebrate his 70th birthday – just like Merkel.
“Traces that still have an impact today”
Merkel appeared to be in a good mood and her speech was repeatedly rewarded with applause and laughter. The event in the evening in the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus of the Bundestag was not open to the public, and the head of the Chancellery, Wolfgang Schmidt, was also there. “As Federal Environment Minister, Jürgen Trittin left traces that continue to have an impact today,” said the former Chancellor. She also praised his ability to compromise. In his speech, Trittin also emphasized the value of compromises, including between the government and the opposition. The ability to do this is one reason why Germany is an anchor of democracy in Europe.
Regarding the invitation for Merkel, Trittin told the “Tagesspiegel” that he and the two parliamentary group leaders Britta Haßelmann and Katharina Dröge wanted to send a signal that Democrats from different parties could treat each other with respect. “This is important at a time when democracy is under attack by its opponents. I opposed Ms. Merkel for 16 years, but we still respect each other.” He said about her: “Mrs. Merkel doesn’t talk after you, but she has the wit for an exciting speech. I was very pleased that she agreed.”
“Great rigor, great eloquence and also toughness”
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described Trittin as someone “who is there in stormy times and doesn’t duck away.” She called him “one of the outstanding personalities not only of green politics, but (of) politics as a whole.” Baerbock attested to Trittin’s analytical sharpness and self-reflection and “above all, the ability not to allow himself to be hardened despite all the attacks, but to always be open to the perspective of others.”
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck praised the 69-year-old as a courageous, controversial and always convinced fighter for sustainability, climate protection and justice. It is good that Trittin is shown respect across party lines. Despite tough arguments on the matter, politicians know that in the end everyone is fighting out of conviction for the common good. “And that’s why I’m particularly pleased that Angela Merkel is giving him the honor. And I know that he’s happy about it too. That’s a nice sign.” Environment Minister Steffi Lemke said that Trittin had achieved a lot for environmental, nature and climate protection. He was distinguished by his “great rigor, great eloquence and toughness”.