The German Red Cross (DRK) has announced that former German Federal Minister of Health, Hermann Gröhe, will be seeking the role of its president. The announcement comes as current president Gerda Hasselfeldt, having served two terms, will not be seeking re-election.
DRK confirmed that Gröhe will officially stand as a candidate at the upcoming DRK Federal Assembly, scheduled for November 29th in Berlin. The assembly will be attended by 130 delegates representing the member associations of the DRK, who will elect a new president for an initial four-year term.
“I consider the request from the German Red Cross, inquiring whether I would be available for a candidacy as president, to be a great honor” Gröhe stated. He enthusiastically affirmed his willingness to take on the role, emphasizing his commitment to supporting the DRK’s vital work assisting those in need.
Gröhe, a member of the German Bundestag from 1994 to 2025, served as Federal Minister of Health from 2013 to 2018. Prior to that, he held the position of General Secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 2009 to 2013. He will succeed Hasselfeldt, a former CSU politician, upon a successful election.