zeit.de
Former Lower Saxony European Minister Osigus Defends Her Work
Following the dissolution of her ministry in April 2025, former Lower Saxony European Minister Wiebke Osigus defends her work against criticism of low visibility, highlighting concrete improvements achieved despite a lack of media attention, and emphasizes her commitment to her constituency.
- How did the opposition criticize Minister Osigus's performance, and how did she respond?
- The opposition criticized Osigus's work as too "pale". She acknowledged objective criticism but rejected what she described as the use of "old role models", such as focusing on her gender or family status, which she says are irrelevant to her performance and continue to burden politics.
- What are the future political plans of Wiebke Osigus, and what does her vision for future roles entail?
- While leaving open the possibility of a third election duel in 2027, Osigus stated her desire for a role that she is passionate about, has support for, and allows her to maintain visibility and accountability to her constituents. She emphasized remaining a visible politician, even in informal settings.
- What specific achievements did Minister Osigus point to in her defense against criticism of insufficient visibility?
- Osigus highlighted "concrete improvements" in regional development achieved during her tenure, emphasizing that these tangible benefits for citizens constituted the main gain, regardless of media coverage or name recognition. She further stated that her ministry "came through solidly", expressing pride in this accomplishment.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of Wiebke Osigus's time as minister, including both her defense of her work and criticisms from the opposition. However, the inclusion of her personal details, such as buying a frozen pizza in a hoodie, might subtly frame her as relatable, potentially influencing reader perception in her favor. The headline could also be seen as framing her departure positively, focusing on the standing ovation rather than the controversies surrounding her ministry.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, although phrases like "Geräuschlose Politik ist unsexy" (Quiet politics is unsexy) could be interpreted as subtly biased, positioning effective, less visible work in a negative light. The description of her departure as a period of 'Achterbahnfahrt' (rollercoaster) adds emotional coloring. The use of 'Standing Ovations' is a positive loaded term.
Bias by Omission
While the article mentions criticism from the opposition and the dissolution of the ministry, it doesn't delve deeply into the specific reasons behind the criticism or the details of the ministry's perceived failures. The article also omits the specific details of Osigus's achievements during her time as minister, instead relying on general statements about 'concrete improvements'. This omission could leave the reader with an incomplete picture.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the criticism of Osigus's work as either 'sachliche Kritik' (factual criticism) or attacks based on outdated gender roles. This simplification ignores the possibility of other valid criticisms that are not based on gender stereotypes.
Gender Bias
The article highlights criticisms directed at Osigus based on gender stereotypes ('ob ich Kinder habe, ob ich eine Frau bin oder ob ich schon genug geführt habe'). This underscores the persistent gender bias in politics. However, the article also includes the detail that her successor is also a woman. The article's inclusion of details about her purchasing a frozen pizza in a hoodie can be seen as a way to humanize her, possibly a tactic not typically used for male politicians.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses a female politician facing criticism, implicitly touching upon gender equality in politics. While not directly addressing SDG 5 (Gender Equality), the discussion of outdated gender roles in political criticism indirectly relates to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by highlighting the persistence of gender biases affecting women in leadership positions. Her success in winning elections against a male opponent also contributes positively to reducing inequalities in political representation.