The former SPD chairman Sigmar Gabriel is considered a favorite for the presidency of the Automobile Association VDA. The news caused criticism over the possible change from politics to the economy. Gabriel, however, is surprised at the debate.
"I did not bring myself into the game and was not officially addressed by the VDA," Gabriel said in an interview with the "Zeit": "I am a bit surprised, but I am also far enough away in the US and see that with great Serenity. " There was no official offer: "I can deny that there have been any formal discussions with me about it," said Gabriel.
The manager magazin had reported in early October on the possible new job of the former vice-chancellor, according to information of "Bild am Sonntag", there were more details on the timing. This week, the VDA presidium wants to clarify details with Gabriel.
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The former Minister of Economic Affairs should be the preferred candidate of the auto companies and the suppliers. Gabriel was formerly also foreign and environment minister. In addition to the 60-year-old is the former CDU politician Hildegard Müller in the race, as the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung" had reported.
- Read here the background about the "Automann" Sigmar Gabriel
The post of top car industry lobbyist must be filled again after Bernhard Mattes announced his withdrawal to the end of 2019 in September. The former Ford manager has only been VDA president since March 2018, his term of office actually ran until the end of 2020. The VDA is one of the most influential lobbying associations in Germany, the automotive industry with more than 800,000 direct employees a key industry.