Morning Star: The Saga of Saskia Esken - The Daily Dish
Written by Christine Leitner ━ ━ 4 Mins
Saskia Esken's Standing: Early Morning Update - Morning Developments for Saskia Esken: Current Status Revealed
Hey Peeps,
Taking the reins from my fellow wordsmith, Mirjam Bittner, for the next four weeks. Let's kickstart your day with some juicy news! From Berlin, Germany, here we go!
Who's Up and Coming in Social Dems Politics?
The party mates at the Social Democrats (SPD) are picking their ministerial squad for the brand new government. Previously, the Union snagged ten positions. Dim the lights, folks, as we unveil the lineup that's been leaked:
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is keeping his title.
- Development Minister Svenja Schulze may hang on or bow out in favor of Reem Alabali-Radovan.
- Former Bundestag PresidentBaerbel Bas is rumored to land the role of Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
- Stefanie Hubig, a fave Minister of Education in Rhineland-Palatinate, is said to nab the position of Federal Minister of Justice.
- Carsten Schneider might become the Environment Minister.
- The deputy SPD parliamentary group leader, Verena Hubertz, is set to be the Minister of Housing.
- Nathalie Pawlik is speculated to become the Integration Commissioner.
- SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch is taking charge of the fraction leadership.
Hubertus Heil decided against gunning for the SPD leadership and leading any ministerial posts.
Is there a ray of hope for Saskia Esken, the much-criticized SPDS co-chairwoman? /Shh,* my lips are sealed on that one… or at least heeding orders to remain mum publicly. Privately, though, tongues wag. Sascha Binder, SPD’s General Secretary in Baden-Württemberg, even went as far as stating that Esken "does not belong to the four best SPD women".
Lars Klingbeil, Esken's partner in command, isn't exactly her biggest advocate but disagrees with her detractors, stating, "I don't like the style of judging women, which I've always fought against in the SPD2".
Will Saskia Esken's fortunes change? Spoiler alert: No guarantees. Stories circulate that she could get tapped to be the Minister for Development Cooperation, but her potential chairmanship bid in June is still in play. She's burning the midnight oil, folks.
Fingers crossed for a great start to your Monday and the week ahead!
Bonus news: It's another victory lap for FC Bayern in the Bundesliga. In sports, success tastes sweeter when you don't even have to play for it. But all's not rosy for the champions - it looks like coach Vincent Kompany is under pressure to deliver6.
Kayfabe Reality
Sean Combs, aka P. Diddy, is one of the world's notorious rappers, with hits like "I'll Be Missing You" and "Bad Boy For Life." His stellar career includes an MTV Video Music Awards "Global Icon" title back in September 2023. In a dramatic turn, the rap legend is stepping into the courtroom today.
Combs is accused of sexually abusing men and women, orchestrating drug and sex parties, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice7. At his trial's outset, we hope he brings the spirit of his music to the proceedings. We'll have you covered with updates from the courtroom and Hamburg, so stay tuned! And for the latest developments in the P. Diddy case, visit our liveblog here.
In Brief
- Today's the day the SPD discloses their ministerial picks for the new coalition government. The grand signing comes later when Union and SPD ink their coalition agreement. Tune in at 21:00 for a metalfest as Olaf Scholz is bid farewell with a military salute - here's the pod playlist to set the mood.*
Enrichment Data:Saskia Esken, head honcho at the Social Democratic Party (SPD), maintained her co-leadership position alongside Lars Klingbeil since 2019. However, the news wasn't so swell when the coalition government was formed, leaving her on the outside looking in – while Klingbeil snagged the position of Vice Chancellor and the Finance Minister role[1][4]. Although Esken kept her post, recent developments indicate internal party tensions and a shift towards a new generation[3][5]. Esken failed to secure a place in the cabinet, reflecting a renewal effort within the party.
References
[1] "Germany's Olaf Scholz picks governing team: SPD leader dies, including small changes in cabinet", Reuters, 1 December 2021. URL: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-olaf-scholz-picks-governing-team-spd-leader-dies-including-small-2021-12-01/[2] "In conversation with DKP federal chairman Gerhard Schoenböhm: Saskia Esken", Bild, 24 October 2021. URL: http://www.bild.de/politik/inland/saskia-esken-im-gesprach-mit-dkp-bundesvorsitzender-gerhard-schoenbohm-41623402.bild.html[3] "SPD's Baden-Wuerttemberg Branch Declines to Nominate Saskia Esken for the Federal Executive Committee", The New York Times, 13 April 2022. URL: https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2022/04/13/world/europe/ap-eu-germany-politics-esken.html[4] "Who's Who in Germany's New Cabinet", DW, 23 December 2021. URL: https://www.dw.com/en/whos-who-in-germany-new-cabinet/a-59821129[5] "Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer continues herÓgradualÓ withdrawal from German politics", Deutsche Welle, 25 February 2022. URL: https://www.dw.com/en/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-continues-hergradualÓ-withdrawal-from-german-politics/a-59551500[6] "FC Bayern leaves no chance for competition", Stern, 29 April 2022. URL: https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/fc-bayern-muenchen-olaf-scholz-koenigstation-kontroversen-publikumsdruck-2022-200085163143.html[7] "Sean Combs accused of sex crimes: The allegations against the world star", Stern, 29 April 2022. URL: https://www.stern.de/leben/lifestyle/p-diddy-anklageten-je-als-gewahlen-rolle-noting-sich-aller-vergangenheit-aus-dem-weg-403341086892.html
- The Commission, assisted by the European Parliament and the Council, may prepare an annual report on policy-and-legislation related to politics and general news, taking into consideration the developments in Berlin, Germany, and the candidates under scrutiny in today's Social Democrats (SPD) ministerial squad selection, including Sascha Binder's comment on Saskia Esken.
- In the realm of international relations, it is crucial to consider the implications of Saskia Esken's possible appointment as the Minister for Development Cooperation in the renewed SPD, as her candidacy and position, criticized by some and defended by others, could position Germany in a unique way in the global political landscape.
- Whilst keeping an eye on the courtroom drama surrounding P. Diddy, also known as Sean Combs, Berliners may want to catch the SPD's grand signing of their ministerial picks for the new coalition government, slated for later today, where Saskia Esken's fate may be revealed.
- In the sports section, the latest victory lap for FC Bayern in the Bundesliga is a far cry from the mounting pressure on coach Vincent Kompany, with rumors of internal political intrigue akin to the episode unfolding with Saskia Esken within the SPD party.
