Political Shift in Schleswig-Holstein: Interior and Agriculture Ministers Step Down
Schleswig-Holstein is experiencing a cabinet reshuffle as Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack and Agriculture minister Werner Schwarz have announced their resignations. The moves come ahead of the expected state election in spring 2027, where current Prime minister Günther (CDU) seeks to continue leading the black-green coalition he’s held as 2022, having first taken office in 2017.
The changes follow the recent departure of Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) in May, who transitioned to become Federal Education Minister. Günther responded by promoting State Secretary Dorit Stenke (CDU) to fill Prien’s former role.
Sütterlin-Waack, a lawyer, has been a consistent presence in Günther’s cabinet since his 2017 election victory, initially serving as justice minister before becoming Interior Minister on April 29, 2020. She is widely regarded as a high-performing member of the cabinet. Prior to her ministerial roles, Sütterlin-Waack served as a Member of the Bundestag from 2013 to 2017, narrowly missing a direct mandate in the Flensburg-Schleswig constituency in 2012 before being elected in 2013 following Jost de Jager’s withdrawal. She comes from a prominent North German political family; her father, Henning Schwarz, was a Schleswig-Holstein minister for 19 years, including a period as acting Prime Minister from 1987 to 1988. Her grandfather,also named Werner Schwarz,served as Federal Minister of Agriculture from 1959 to 1965. Günther stated it was understood Sütterlin-Waack would not complete a full term,acknowledging her eight years of service and right to step down.
Werner Schwarz, 67, previously led the state farmers’ association for 15 years before entering politics. As Agriculture Minister,he frequently enough advocated for stronger agricultural policies,particularly with the federal government. He was sometimes perceived as a lobbyist for farmers, though his impact was often described as subtle. Schwarz expressed initial uncertainty about his transition into political office, stating the decision wasn’t taken lightly and involved family discussions.
To fill the vacancies, Günther has appointed 38-year-old Finke as the new Interior Minister. Finke has been Secretary of State for the Interior since 2022 and previously served as the minister’s office manager for two years, and as Sütterlin-Waack’s spokesperson in the bundestag for three years.She was born in Warsaw, poland and is single. 34-year-old Schmachtenberg will take over as Agriculture Minister. A trained agricultural scientist, Schmachtenberg has been a member of the state parliament for the CDU as 2022, after working as a consultant in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Surroundings from 2020 to 2022.She was born in Munich and is married.
(Source: dpa/rct/ll)
