Overview

• Alois Rainer, a CSU member and trained butcher, has been named as Germany's next Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Homeland under the Merz government.
• Rainer opposes a proposed meat tax, stating that meat prices should be determined by the market rather than government intervention.
• He advocates for diverse school and kindergarten meal plans, including options for meat, vegetarian dishes, fruits, and vegetables, rejecting ideological dietary mandates.
• Critics, including foodwatch CEO Chris Methmann and former boxer Regina Halmich, have questioned Rainer’s qualifications and raised concerns about animal welfare under his leadership.
• Rainer’s appointment and the broader coalition government remain contingent on the SPD membership vote, with results expected imminently.