Former Green Party leader Omid Nouripour takes a jab at Friedrich Merz (CDU) in a survey by the news portal Watson, asking who the “Rising Star” of the year 2025 would be, naming the CDU’s chancellor candidate, but likely doing so in a sarcastic manner, as he added, “Because he can finally gain government experience as Vice-Chancellor in 2025”.
Bundes Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) mentioned the deaf SPD MP Heike Heubach in the survey among top German politicians, saying, “Her first speech in the Bundestag was a triumph for many people with disabilities”.
A surprising praise for a colleague from a different party came from CDU Bundestag member Roderich Kiesewetter, who highlighted the new Green Party leader Felix Banaszak: “I got to know him better before he became chairman and no one had him on their radar yet”, he said. “Although I don’t share his views in some areas, I appreciate his very clear stance and the steadfastness in fighting for freedom and self-determination.” This is “clearly perceptible”, Kiesewetter added.