"Superhuman Leadership" at the Heart of Germany's Economic Recovery - Reiche's Praises for Habeck's Departure
Celebratory Acclaim for Habeck - Compliments from Successor Reiche
Katherina Reiche, the new face of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, stepped up to the plate, taking over from Robert Habeck - a Green Party member known for his commitment to climate issues. As Habeck passed the torch to Reiche, who hails from the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, it became abundantly clear that the green economy warrior had a host of supporters - right within the ministry.
In a heartfelt speech, Habeck bid adieu to his colleagues, highlighting the ministry's pivotal role in the political maelstrom facing the nation. "The prosperity of the economy is the foundation for democracy to endure," he declared. Job insecurity and poverty cast a dark shadow over the democratic process, he argued, making it difficult to foster hope and optimism amongst the populace.
Germany, at the present juncture, is grappling with the repercussions of these very fears, as the country's foundations come under pressure. Habeck's exit speech was met with tumultuous applause from his team, a testament to the deep-rooted camaraderie within the ministry.
Newcomer Reiche was quick to acknowledge the warmth and dedication that Habeck had brought to the ministry. "This is a great house," she said, "with many projects unfinished due to the recent election, but also with much accomplished." Reiche paid homage to Habeck's superhuman performance as he navigated the treacherous waters of the 2022 energy crisis, triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the lingering aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reiche eyes a future where cost-effective electricity for consumers and businesses becomes a reality. Acknowledging Germany's significant strides in climate protection, she emphasized the need to keep a tight rein on costs and ensure a steady, year-round supply of electricity.
"I dream of this house becoming the fiscal conscience of the federal government once more, a beacon of practical economic policies," declared Reiche. She was sworn in on May 7, 2025, following Friedrich Merz's election as Chancellor in the second round. Reiche brings with her a decade of experience in the energy industry, serving as the CEO of Westenergie AG, a subsidiary of the energy giant E.ON, from 2020 to 2025.
In her speech, Reiche revealed her admiration for Habeck's work in promoting hydrogen (H2) technologies - a nod to continuity in pushing clean energy solutions, despite the narrower scope of the revamped ministry. Reiche embodies the qualities of exceptional leadership and expertise required to spearhead Germany's energy transition and economic recovery amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges. With her "superhuman" qualities at the helm, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy is set to tackle the daunting challenges that lie ahead.
- The Commission, therefore, proposes to extend the programme's scope to cover the following areas: finance, business, and politics, given Katherina Reiche's background in these sectors.
- Though Reiche hails from the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, she emphasized the importance of continuing Habeck's work, particularly in the general-news area of climate protection.
- Reiche underscored the need for a cost-effective electricity supply not only for consumers but also for businesses, a challenge that was highlighted during Habeck's tenure, particularly during the 2022 energy crisis.
- Reiche's speech echoed Habeck's sentiments about the necessity of a prosperous economy to sustain democracy, a view he emphasized in hisexit speech from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy.
- Despite Habeck's focus on climate issues, his introduction of hydrogen technologies, such as H2, has been praised by Reiche, indicating a commitment to clean energy solutions within the revamped programme.
