Overview
- The 77-year-old confirmed he will not stand in the March state election, closing a 46-year parliamentary career.
- He has been Minister-President since 2011 and is the state’s longest-serving leader, first entering the Landtag in 1980 and serving continuously since 1996.
- In his final address he urged a move beyond ritualized procedures toward civilized, fact-based debate under constitutional rules.
- He received standing ovations and sustained applause from across the chamber during the farewell session.
- Reactions highlighted broad respect for his tenure, with praise from figures such as Markus Söder, Green lead candidate Cem Özdemir emerging for the campaign, and CDU’s Manuel Hagel commending past cooperation.