Westphalian Whip: Jens Spahn Steps Up as New CDU/CSU Parliamentary Leader
Opponent of Merz, Spahn, poised to ascend as Parliamentary Party Leader - Opponent of Merz previously, Spahn to assume faction leadership role.
You know him as the health minister through the pandemic, now Jens Spahn takes on a new challenge - keeping the CDU line for Frederick Merz. This 44-year-old politician has been a member of parliament for more than two decades. During the opposition years after the 2021 Bundestag election, he served as a deputy leader and focused on economic policy.
As a Health Minister during the pandemic and previously as Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Spahn has some government experience. Rumors swirled that he could become the new Minister of Economics in the coalition agreement negotiations with the SPD.
Behind the Scenes in the CDU Leadership Race
Spahn has won his constituency directly since 2002, most recently with nearly 42% of the votes. However, his party colleagues haven't held him in high regard. In the 2018 succession race for Angela Merkel's CDU leadership, he came in last with 157 votes, trailing Frederick Merz (392) and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (450 votes).
In the hunt for Kramp-Karrenbauer's replacement just over two years later in January 2021, Spahn didn't run himself but supported Armin Laschet, effectively barring Merz from contention. In the subsequent election of the deputy CDU chairmen, Spahn again came in last.
A Rollercoaster Ride in Federal Politics at a Glance
Wondering if leaders from the Union and SPD can find common ground? As the CDU/CSU fraction leader, Spahn will work closely with the SPD and may find himself engaged with the current Bundestag President, the SPD's Barbara Bas. The pair "have known each other for a long time," Bas recently told the Tagesspiegel.
Executing what he calls "the greatest task of my life so far" in his role as Federal Health Minister during the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, Spahn once said "We will have to forgive each other a lot." Later, he proposed that the AfD be treated like other opposition parties in parliamentary procedures, a decision that sparked controversy.
Controversies Fueled by Pandemic Decisions and party Politics
However, Spahn's time as Health Minister has not been without controversy. Accusations regarding excessive mask procurement prices may arise. Admitting that they had to make decisions in an emergency, Spahn defended his actions in a Bundestag debate on the mask dispute last June.
Administrative proceedings concerning a billion-dollar dispute value are still ongoing. Last July, the Higher Regional Court of Cologne ruled that the federal government must pay around 86 million euros plus interest to a trading company. The case is now with the Federal Court of Justice.
On a more recent note, Spahn's proposal to treat the AfD like other opposition parties in parliamentary procedures met stern criticism. This was before the domestic intelligence agency announced that the AfD should be classified as securely right-wing extremist.
Stay tuned to see how Jens Spahn navigates his new role as the CDU/CSU fraction leader, balancing political debates and potential controversies.
- As the new CDU/CSU fraction leader, Jens Spahn will collaborate closely with the SPD, specifically with Bundestag President Barbara Bas, who has previously expressed a long-standing relationship with him.
- Despite his role as Health Minister, Jens Spahn has faced controversy, such as accusations about excessive mask procurement prices and the ongoing billion-dollar dispute with a trading company.
- During the 2018 CDU leadership race, Jens Spahn received fewer votes than Frederick Merz and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, while he supported Armin Laschet in the 2021 race, potentially barring Merz from contention.
- The Commission, in the context of European Union politics, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, a task that could potentially be supported by Jens Spahn, given his political stance and experience, as well as his established focus on policy-and-legislation and general news matters.
