Annalena Baerbock sends farewell message: Never give up, despite serious mistakes

After twelve years as a member of the German Bundestag, Annalena Baerbock is saying goodbye. The former Foreign Minister is giving up her position as a politician and moving to New York with her two children. There she will soon begin her new position as President of the UN General Assembly.

But before things get started in the United States , Baerbock is saying goodbye to all the people who have accompanied her over the past years with a "final video" on social media. Baerbock wants to send a message to her "fans," especially the female ones.

“I may have been the first female foreign minister, but definitely not the last.”

The video begins with the Green Party politician's first speech. This is followed by an excerpt from her last speech, which she delivered in the German Bundestag on June 27, 2025. In it, she warned: "Disputing on the issue is important, but always with respect and always in spirit for our democracy. This coexistence between democrats – we must continue to fight for that, too."

In the video, Baerbock is asked what remains after twelve years in the Bundestag and four years as Foreign Minister. The new UN President confidently replies: "I may have been the first female Foreign Minister, but I definitely won't be the last. And what I would perhaps like to pass on to young women: Your voice counts, your vision counts."

She explains that one should not let anyone talk one into anything – for example: “You may not be able to do it because you are too young or a woman.” With this, Baerbock is alluding to an accusation that she was repeatedly confronted with as Foreign Minister – or which was used to justify criticism of her person.

Her goal of pursuing a feminist foreign policy hasn't contributed to solving fundamental geopolitical problems. But that all seems a long way off now. "And if I've perhaps evoked in you the feeling: Man, I can do this too, I can manage it—even if I stumble or fall—then it's been worth it," Baerbock adds.

Before the video ends, she wants to leave one more message for her viewers: "Democracy is all of us. Therefore: Stand up, get involved, interfere, speak out. It's up to us, it's up to you, to shape the future. See you soon from the United Nations."