Germany’s Ex-Vice Chancellor Shifts Focus to Research and Teaching

Robert Habeck, who formerly served as Germany’s vice chancellor and climate minister, has decided to leave politics and will step down from his parliamentary seat next week. He plans to transition into academia, taking roles at institutions in Copenhagen and California.
In his own words, Habeck said he wants to “research, teach and learn” and expressed that he does not want to be “a sneering, cynical commentator,” nor simply linger as a former official reminding people, “I used to be vice chancellor, remember?” His resignation from the Bundestag will take effect on September 1, but he emphasised that this should not be interpreted as a “withdrawal from political discourse.”
Habeck assumed the role of vice chancellor in 2021 when his party joined a coalition government. He also led a key ministry combining responsibilities for climate and economic affairs. The coalition fell apart late last year.
After the Greens moved back to opposition following early elections earlier this year, Habeck stepped back from leadership roles within his party, amid speculation he might leave politics entirely. Despite this, nearly half a million people signed a petition urging him to remain active.
In a recent interview, Habeck expressed concern about the ability of Germany’s centrist parties to stop the growth of the far-right Alternative for Germany. He criticised several senior conservative figures for adopting more right-wing rhetoric.
He warned that if current trends continue and mainstream parties keep losing support, their political dominance “will be over for good.”

He added, “Politically desirable democratic alternatives are not on offer … A new approach must be found. And I can’t find that within the confines of the system I helped build over the last 20 years.”