Annalena Baerbock in discussion of von der Leyen's successor

Shortly before the European elections, rumors emerged about Annalena Baerbock's future. Rather than being the Green Party's candidate for chancellor, it is clear that her future may lie abroad.

BRUSSELS/BERLIN – Annalena Baerbock is taking advantage of the last days before the European elections on June 9 to make several public appearances – and this seems to be much needed: according to current polls, compared to the elections that took place five years ago, the Green Party is doing much worse: The party is currently sitting at a healthy 14 percent, six percentage points below its result five years ago. At the time, on the evening of the election, she attested to her party's mission to “continue shaping Europe.” In 2024, she will encounter this sentence again – but directed at herself. The rumor mill is currently boiling in political Berlin and Brussels. It is possible that the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic will have a new role. No one expected this until now.

Von der Leyen's successor: Baerbock is in talks for the position of President of the European Commission

But first things first: In distant Brussels, there are now growing signs that Ursula von der Leyen will not be elected president of the Commission again. Even if European conservatives perform well in the European elections. French President Macron, for example, does not want a conservative Commission president again – and now prefers to see former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi at the helm of the European Union.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also said to be sympathetic to this solution. Now comes the big one, however: According to the traffic light coalition agreement, the Green Party has the right to propose if Germany sends a new candidate into the race for the EU's most powerful post.

Suddenly the name Annalena Baerbock appeared. That reports POLITICO. She could therefore be considered for another job at UNHCR as head of department if she does not get the Von der Leyen job in Brussels.

Or the Greens' candidate for chancellor? Baerbock's new interview makes you sit up and take notice

How realistic are these mind games in Brussels? Not clear. Political correspondents in Berlin were expecting action on the K issue from the Green Party in these weeks. Recently, reports leaked that Baerbock was far from writing off his candidacy for chancellor.

In an interview with Handelsblatt, she reinforced this theory once again: When asked whether Baerbock had given up the target in favor of Robert Habeck, she answered meaningfully: “For Robert Habeck and for me: these times are so turbulent that we are occupying our minds with personnel issues a year and a half ago.” From the federal elections, especially so soon before the very important European elections, that ultimately leaves all options open for a completely new role in Brussels?