Key facts
- Alexander Schweitzer will become Germany's federal labor minister.
- Schweitzer succeeds Bärbel Bas, who resigned from the post.
- Bas also stepped down as co-head of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
- Bas cited the death of her stepdaughter and intensified public attacks as reasons for her resignation.
- State Secretary Leonie Gebers has been representing the ministry.
- Bas will retain her seat in the Bundestag for the Duisburg constituency.
Alexander Schweitzer, head of the Social Democrats' parliamentary group in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, will become Germany's federal labor minister, succeeding Bärbel Bas. The announcement was made by an SPD spokesperson.
Bas had announced earlier that she would step down from her government and party leadership roles to mourn the death of her stepdaughter. She also cited intensified public attacks against her as a reason for her departure, stating she did not have the strength to fully perform her duties under these circumstances. State Secretary Leonie Gebers has been representing the ministry at public events.