More free time and time for the family, working a little in the law firm, maybe writing a book: only after his big farewell from the political scene does the outgoing Prime Minister Volker Bouffier want to think about his future in concrete terms.
Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - The Hessian Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) says goodbye to politics with gratitude and a little melancholy. "For me, this is not just the end of these almost twelve years as Prime Minister, but this is the end of 50 years of active politics and 40 years in various offices," said Bouffier of the German Press Agency in Wiesbaden a few days before the end of his tenure. "I have a great feeling of gratitude."
The incumbent President of the State Parliament, Boris Rhein (CDU), is to be elected Bouffier's successor in the Hessian State Parliament next Tuesday. "It was my decision to bring that about. And I'm deeply convinced that it's the right thing to do," emphasized the 70-year-old. "And that's why it's now on the one hand - accompanied by a look back - gratitude, yes also a bit of melancholy, but also with joyful anticipation of how things will continue."
"Of course I have offers for everything at the moment," said Bouffier at the time after his active political life. "But for the time being, I would sort through the boxes, boxes and other things that have accumulated over the past 40 years. In addition, I have a number of obligations as chairman and president of foundations and associations, which I will gradually would also like to transfer - from the Landesstiftung or as President of the Jerusalem Foundation Germany."
"Other than that, I'm also looking forward to maybe being able to do a little more things that weren't possible before," said the longtime top politician. "And a bit of free time, more with the family. Everything has its time and I'm looking forward to the future." He is a trained specialist lawyer for divorce law and a notary. "We have our own law firm. I'll be very reluctant to get involved," announced Bouffier. "I'm often asked if I'm also going to write a book. To be honest, we'll see."
