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The former Oldenburg kale king, Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner, hands over a kale plant to his successor, Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius

Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa

New office for Boris Pistorius: The Defense Minister has been the Oldenburg Kale King since Tuesday evening. The SPD politician replaced Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), who held the regency for a year. Pistorius took over the position at the “Defigt Ollnborger Gröönkohl-Äten” (in High German: Hearty Oldenburg Kale Food), with which the Lower Saxony city of Oldenburg promotes its interests in Berlin.

Kale and the Bundeswehr – that goes together for Pistorius: “The Bundeswehr is always and always ready to help in disaster situations within Germany. We have proven that and of course we would do that even if the kale were in trouble," emphasized the 63-year-old.

His goal for the reign is clear: “To make kale more international. More kale for everyone," said the SPD politician, who comes from Osnabrück and was mayor there before his time as Lower Saxony's interior minister.

60 kilos of meat pee, 50 kilos of cooked sausage - all organic quality

His predecessor Lindner raved about his one-year term as Kohlkönig. Bringing camels to the people free of charge at the Oldenburg folk festival, the Kramermarkt, was a great experience, especially for him as finance minister. »Just distribute it. The people were thrilled, and so was I, to have been a Social Democrat for a day.”

On Tuesday evening, 200 kilograms of cabbage, 60 kilograms of meat sausage, 50 kilograms of boiled sausage, 38 kilograms of smoked bacon and 95 kilograms of boneless Kasseler cutlets were served - all in organic quality, as the city of Oldenburg emphasized.

The hearty meal at which the winners are ceremoniously chosen has developed over the decades into a meeting place for political celebrities, first in Bonn and later in Berlin. Well-known politicians always receive the title.

Each time the outgoing and new Majesties have to give a speech. For the incumbent title holder, a visit to Oldenburg is mandatory during their term of office. The Cabbage King is chosen by a jury made up of Oldenburg personalities as well as politicians and sponsors.

kfr/dpa