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🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

Farewell to the UN: “I’m a private citizen now,” Baerbock leaves the world stage

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Annalena Baerbock is leaving her post as president of the UN General Assembly after a year marked by pressure from Russia, the United States and disputes over international issues.
  • The former German foreign minister said her previous role prepared her for the UN position and that she had learned to withstand political pressure.
  • Baerbock described the period as turbulent, citing attacks on the United Nations and international law, as well as earlier personal and political controversies.

Annalena Baerbock is leaving the international stage after a year as president of the UN General Assembly, a position Russia tried to stop her from obtaining and in which she also clashed with the United States.

As she prepares to leave on September 8, the former German foreign minister appears notably unfazed. “You must not be afraid of headwinds, otherwise these jobs are not for you in such stormy times,” she told dpa.

You must not be afraid of headwinds, otherwise these jobs are not for you in such stormy times.

· Annalena BaerbockBaerbock reflected on the political pressure surrounding her departure from the UN.

Baerbock has faced turbulence before. During her time as a chancellor candidate, she said, it sometimes felt “like going through hell.” She faced hostility, scrutiny over corrections to her résumé and controversy surrounding a book that contained passages resembling other works. As foreign minister, linguistic mistakes and awkward formulations repeatedly drew attention.

Like going through hell.

· Annalena BaerbockShe described how her period as a chancellor candidate sometimes felt.

Some attacks against her, however, involved demonstrably false claims and sexist abuse. Critics also accused her of pursuing an overly confrontational, strongly values-based foreign policy, particularly toward Russia and China. Baerbock now calls her time as foreign minister the “best preparation” for the UN post. “I believe I understand these masculine power games quite well,” she said.

According to UN sources, pressure continued behind the scenes in New York. US representatives allegedly threatened consequences if issues they opposed reached the agenda. The United States and Russia have repeatedly sought to weaken or remove established language on issues including women’s rights and climate protection through amendments and threats not to support resolutions.

Best preparation.

· Annalena BaerbockShe referred to her time as foreign minister as preparation for leading the UN General Assembly.

“The United Nations and international law are literally under attack. And that made it a very turbulent year,” Baerbock said. She is now moving to Columbia University and leaving the UN role behind.

The United Nations and international law are literally under attack. And that made it a very turbulent year.

· Annalena BaerbockBaerbock characterized the pressures she encountered during her year at the UN.
About this summary

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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