The potential appointment of Oliver Ruhnert, the highly successful football manager of 1. FC Union Berlin, as General Secretary of the populist “Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht” (BSW) party has triggered a surprising endorsement from a prominent figure within the rival Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Paul Ziemiak, the CDU’s General Secretary for North Rhine-Westphalia, publicly declared Ruhnert’s suitability for the role, drawing parallels between the skills required of a football manager – strategic thinking, scouting and tactical analysis – and those needed to lead a political organization.
Ziemiak’s backing, however, is far from a wholehearted approval. While acknowledging Ruhnert’s intellect and pragmatic approach – describing him as an “ardent persuader” and a “rational politician” – he simultaneously expressed significant reservations about the BSW’s overall direction. He characterized the party as a “populist force” and a “dangerous deviation” in foreign policy, shadowed by a “cult of personality” surrounding Sahra Wagenknecht. This, he conceded, presents a significantly more complex challenge compared to Ruhnert’s previous successes managing Union Berlin.
The relationship between Ziemiak and Ruhnert is rooted in shared experiences within Iserlohn’s municipal council, where they served alongside each other – Ziemiak for the CDU, Ruhnert for the Left party. This history provides a glimpse into Ruhnert’s political evolution; Ziemiak revealed a past surprise at Ruhnert’s choice to join the Left, further suggesting a fundamentally socialist leaning. The CDU politician even mused on whether Ruhnert’s political ideology genuinely aligned with the Left or with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), highlighting a perceived ideological fluidity.
Ruhnert’s recent shift to the BSW and his role as the party’s top candidate in Berlin during the last federal election – a campaign ultimately unsuccessful in clearing the 5% threshold – raise questions about his motivations and the potential for ideological compromise. Whilst Ziemiak voiced support for Ruhnert’s football career, he explicitly withheld political endorsement, a surprising stance considering his fervent support for Borussia Dortmund and the shared membership of Ruhnert – a dedicated Schalke supporter – within the two rival fan bases. The appointment, if confirmed, could be seen as a calculated move by BSW to gain credibility, but simultaneously carries the risk of exposing deeper ideological incongruities.
