A prominent epidemiologist and frequent guest on talk shows discussing the Coronavirus pandemic is to be the next federal German health minister.

The largest party in the forthcoming new coalition announced on Monday.

Karl Lauterbach, a member of parliament for the Social Democrats (SPD), has, in recent months, gained a high profile as an expert on the pandemic and made a name for himself through appeals for restrictions to be obeyed.

Earlier, he expressed dismay at crowds of 50,000 attending football matches.

“No game should have more than 5,000 spectators,” he said after a Rhineland derby between Cologne and Borussia Moenchengladbach was viewed by a full stadium.

Ahead of the announcement, Mr Lauterbach received support from Markus Soeder, premier of the state of Bavaria and head of the Christian Social Union (CSU), on the opposite side of the political fence.

Mr Soeder, who has also taken a strong line on pandemic restrictions, called for mandatory vaccination and said a health minister who was on top of the portfolio is needed.

“I believe Lauterbach can certainly do that,” he said during a popular talk show, saying that he would welcome the epidemiologist’s appointment.

The SPD and the pro-business FDP have approved a coalition deal hammered out since the September elections.

The Greens and the other parties are to pass their verdict and announce their decision later. 

(NAN)