Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - The outgoing Prime Minister of Hesse, Volker Bouffier (CDU), said goodbye to the state parliament. "Today has come full circle for me," said the 70-year-old in Wiesbaden on Tuesday. He is very grateful. Otherwise he wanted to spare his listeners a look back. "I just want to say thank you," said Bouffier, naming the parliamentary groups, including the opposition, as well as the members of the government, the employees of parliament and the state administration. He also thanked his family, who had carried a special burden for many years.
The Hessian state parliament has long been considered the toughest parliament in Germany. As head of government, he tried not to emphasize what separates, but what they have in common and to be a prime minister for all citizens. The deputies responded to the short speech with standing applause.
Bouffier also declared his resignation in writing. According to the Hessian constitution, all ministers of the state government have resigned.
The Hessian state parliament then wanted to elect a new prime minister, and the previous state parliament president Boris Rhein (CDU) is up for election. Bouffier is Germany's longest-serving head of government, having served in office for almost twelve years.
