German Economy Minister Robert Habek will announce his intention to run for chancellor on behalf of the Green Party later today, reports "Reuters", citing the publication "Spiegel". quoted by News.bg.
The 55-year-old Habeck, a former novelist and philosopher, is a central figure in Germany's energy and climate policy as Minister of Economy and Climate Protection.
He returned to social network X yesterday, after a five-year hiatus, and posted a short video of himself wearing a bracelet with the words “Chancellor Era”. This provoked speculation that an official announcement of his candidacy is imminent.
Germany's governing coalition collapsed yesterday after years of tension between Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats and the Greens escalated over disagreements over economic and fiscal policy.
The collapse of the coalition creates conditions for early elections and causes political upheaval in Europe's largest economy. This is happening against the background of Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections, which further complicates the international situation.
When asked if Germany was still able to function, Habeck said: “Yes, of course”. However, he added that “we no longer have a majority in parliament”.
Later, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced that he was ready to dissolve parliament and create conditions for new elections.