Franz Müntefering, former SPD chairman, reveals his lack of interest in becoming the German Chancellor. In an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” magazine, the 85-year-old states, “I never aimed for the position and wouldn’t have done it well. I come from a small world and don’t even speak English. What would that have looked like in the eyes of the world?”
Müntefering also discusses political communication, saying, “As a politician, one should not always blurt out statements. Some believe that a successful conversation means constantly talking, but that’s not true. Sometimes one needs to take a breath, think and ask a follow-up question. Such a conversation may not be as fluid, but it is valuable. It’s not about answering as quickly as possible, but understanding the other person.”
The former SPD leader also shared his disappointment in not receiving a birthday greeting from former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder on his 85th birthday in January. Müntefering admits he did not send a congratulatory message to Schröder on his 80th birthday the previous year. Müntefering had previously called on Schröder to distance himself from Russian President Vladimir Putin in a letter following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Schröder did not respond and since then, the two have not had any further contact.