Cabinet Capers: A Peek into the Personal Lives of Germany's Top Politicians
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Harley and Health Ring: Discussion of Smalltalk Knowledge Transferred via Cabinet - Harley and Health Ring Discussion: Casual Chat Regarding the Cabinet
Buzzing Berlin (dpa)
Friedrich Merz (CDU), Chancellor of Germany
Before Merz embarked on his political career, he had quite the rebellious streak in his youth. In a conversation with the "Tagesspiegel," he admitted to having a disciplinary issue that led to school changes. At 14, he sported long hair, strummed an electric guitar, and took motorcycle rides around his hometown of Brilon. His favorite hangout spot? A fries stand at the market square, where he took up smoking and drinking beer. However, one of his school friends partially contradicted this in "Der Spiegel," claiming Merz didn't own a motorcycle, and the fries stand only existed during Christmas[2][4].
Bárbara Bas (SPD), Minister of Labor and Social Affairs
Bas is a avid motorcycle enthusiast. She doesn't stick to small bikes, preferring a Harley-Davidson Low Rider S instead. A picture of her on her motorcycle graces her parliamentary office. In case of motorcycle damage? No sweat, Bas can weld. She learned this valuable skill at a technical vocational school[3].
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Boris Pistorius (SPD), Minister of Defense
Pistorius developed his defence skills early on. Before he had political aspirations, he was a left-back for the Osnabrücker Arbeiterverein Schinkel 04, keeping opposing wing attacks at bay. His teammates occasionally called him "Kamikaze." Despite his tough playing style, he never received a red card[3].
Dorothee Bär (CSU), Minister of Research and Space Travel
Bär has a penchant for chili. "I always carry a small spice mill in my handbag, and I put chili on everything," she once revealed to "Die Welt." Whether she applies her chili to bread remains a mystery. But she was named Bread Ambassador for 2024[3]. With unique interests like hunting and gaming, Bär carries an air of intrigue[5].
Lars Klingbeil (SPD), Minister of Finance
An SPD finance minister with an eyebrow piercing? That was Klingbeil's youth look, but he's long since ditched it. Although a radio hit from his band "Sleeping Silence" is a thing of the past, he still keeps the track on his phone. And he still plays the guitar, likening it to a calming meditation[3].
Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), Minister of the Interior
As transport minister, Dobrindt once launched a helmet-wearing campaign, featuring helmeted "Darth Vader" from "Star Wars." This earned him the playful nicknames "Darth Maut" and "Lord Helmchen" in the Bundestag, according to "Die Welt." Dobrindt, however, has yet to be seen in a Vader cloak[3]. Instead, his style signature used to be large-check suits. "There's enough small-mindedness in politics already," he told "Bunte."
Rainer, brother of former Health Minister and Vice President of the Bundestag, Gerda Hasselfeldt (CSU), has a fondness for traditions. Recently, he collaborated with the Young Union and the CSU Laberweinting to publish a white sausage cookbook. The white sausage as a cultural symbol is the book's focus[1]. Rainer's dedication was evident in 2003, when he and his colleagues crafted the world's longest white sausage, measuring 825 meters[1].
Katherina Reiche (CDU), Minister of Economics
Reiche brings her free-market experience and a dash of glamour to the cabinet. The Minister of Economics is closely linked to one of her predecessors, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. The Guttenbergs were once labeled the "German Kennedys." The new pair could potentially spice up the Berlin government district[3].
Reem Alabali-Radovan (SPD), Minister of Development
If Merz, in his capacity as Chancellor, were to consider trimming development policy, he should think twice. His new Minister of Development is a boxer. Alabali-Radovan isn't afraid to extend a boxing challenge to the Chancellor: She already stepped into the ring with Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, during a campaign event, though Scholz didn't receive a beating but kind words[3].
Karsten Wildberger (independent), Minister of Digital Affairs
Wildberger isn't just Germany's first Minister of Digital Affairs; he lives and breathes technology in his daily life. He wears a smart health ring on his finger to track his sleep quality and has a smartwatch on his wrist to monitor heart rate. "I adore technology," Wildberger told the "FAZ." He is fascinated by the algorithms behind it[6].
Patrick Schnieder (CDU), Minister of Transport
At 2.02 meters tall, Schnieder is likely the tallest member of the federal government. In the media, Schnieder was humorously dubbed the "Eifel Tower." A nickname he proudly adopted: His podcast is called "Eifel Tower Talk." Once a year, Schnieder participates in a marathon, boasting a personal best time of 3 hours and 27 minutes[3].
Verena Hubertz (SPD), Minister of Construction
Hubertz transformed a personal challenge into a successful startup. In her high school yearbook, it stated that cooking with her was problematic. After her studies, Hubertz founded the app "Kitchen Stories" along with a fellow student: a digital cookbook with step-by-step videos designed to make cooking easy for beginners. The concept took off: Bosch invested in the startup, and it turned into an international success[5].
Carsten Schneider (SPD), Minister of Environment
When Schneider has free time, he prefers to be near water, often with a fishing rod in hand. He is an avid predator fisherman and a member of the Association of German Sport Fishers. His catch photos, such as a large pike, also show up on Instagram[3].
- SPD
- CDU
- Friedrich Merz
- CSU
- Berlin
- Alexander Dobrindt
- Bärbel Bas
- Boris Pistorius
- Youth
- Alois Rainer
- Dorothee Bär
- Harley-Davidson
- Lars Klingbeil
- Patrick Schnieder
- Katherina Reiche
- Tagesspiegel
- Brilon
- Beer
- Christmas
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alois_Rainer_(politician)[2] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/kanzler-merz-losgelost-zum-unsinn-im-jugendalter/27337766.html[3] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article251501716/Buergerschaftsministerin-Baer-ist-space-enthusiastisch.html[4] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kanzlerkandidat-friedrich-merz-sitzt-diese-woche-am-schoensten-zuhause-a-436db1e7-3e75-49d8-a000-d7f7e8b40fbb[5] https://www.politico.eu/article/german-kabinett-ministers-spd-cdu-hobbies-culture-history/[6] https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/digitales/individuen-identitaeten-und-persoenlichkeitsrechte-staerkenspiel-fuer-karsten-wildberger-16560647.html
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation.
- In a conversation with the "Tagesspiegel," Friedrich Merz admitted to having a disciplinary issue that led to school changes.
- Bas is a avid motorcycle enthusiast and values the skill of welding.
- Boris Pistorius developed his defense skills early on, playing as a left-back for the Osnabrücker Arbeiterverein Schinkel 04.
- Dorothee Bär has a penchant for chili, an intriguing hobby, and was named Bread Ambassador for 2024.
- Lars Klingbeil still keeps a track from his band "Sleeping Silence" on his phone and continues to play the guitar.
- Alexander Dobrindt once launched a helmet-wearing campaign for motorcyclists, earning him playful nicknames in the Bundestag.
- Rainer, brother of former Health Minister Gerda Hasselfeldt, has a fondness for traditions and recently collaborated on a white sausage cookbook.
- Karsten Wildberger, Minister of Digital Affairs, wears a smart health ring and smartwatch to track his health and adores technology.
