Overview
- The Landtag opened its session by honoring Schünemann, as Vice President Tanja Meyer praised his expertise and respectful cross-party conduct.
- He described his first swearing-in as interior minister as the most moving moment of his career, highlighting the oath to the constitution.
- Schünemann said he entered politics to implement change and noted that opposition work can offer more room to develop and shape ideas.
- Video tributes included Christian Wulff crediting Schünemann with helping refocus the CDU in 2003 and with contributions to security policy, while faction leader Sebastian Lechner called him a key adviser.
- His record spans a decade as interior minister, an unexpected constituency loss in 2013, unsuccessful local bids, and a 2014 return to the Landtag by Nachrücken, as he now declines to promise a 2027 run.