“Now. Where.”: Lars Jessen’s Intimate Portrait of Robert Habeck’s Political Descent
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A deeply personal and frequently enough partisan documentary, “Now. Where. – My journey with Robert Habeck,” offers a revealing behind-the-scenes look at the Green Party’s 2025 federal election campaign and the subsequent fallout for then-Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. Directed by long-time friend and advisor Lars Jessen,the film,released December 7th,chronicles Habeck’s trajectory from rising political star to a figure grappling with disappointment and a reevaluation of his future.
From Chernobyl to the Chancellorship Bid
The film establishes the formative influence of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster on Habeck’s early political awakening, linking it to his later commitment to environmentalism. As the “traffic light” coalition faltered, habeck emerged as the Green Party’s top candidate for chancellor. His campaign centered on a message of “confidence” and a commitment to a more collaborative style of politics. “Democracy is about talking, about explaining, but also about listening. So someone has to listen,” he asserts in the film, highlighting his vision for a more inclusive political discourse. Early in the campaign, Jessen’s film shows Habeck actively engaging with everyday citizens, a strategy amplified through social media videos, aiming to connect with voters on a personal level.
However, the film makes clear that the core Green Party issue of climate protection struggled to gain traction amidst a national focus on migration and security. This disconnect proved critical, as the Greens, and Habeck specifically, failed to resonate with voters on these dominant concerns.
The “Heating Hammer” and a Disinformation Campaign
A significant portion of the documentary focuses on the controversy surrounding Habeck’s proposed heating law – dubbed the “Heating Hammer” by Bild newspaper. The film alleges an “unprecedented disinformation campaign” fueled by false accusations that Habeck intended to forcibly remove existing heating systems from homes. According to the film, political opponents, including members of the FDP, exploited the situation to protect the interests of fossil fuel companies.Habeck himself argues, “You can’t be climate neutral if 80 or 90 percent of the country heats with gas and oil.”
A Bitter Election Night and a Reassessment of Strategy
The film culminates in a stark portrayal of the election night of February 23, 2025. As early results began to trickle in, the mood within the Habeck camp visibly soured. Initial forecasts from ARD placed the Greens at 13.5 percent, while ZDF reported a mere 12 percent. The final result – 11.6 percent – represented a significant setback.
Habeck, in a post-election interview, expressed his disappointment, stating that he had not secured the mandate for his approach of building bridges with the conservative Union parties.He lamented that these potential alliances were “torn down by sausage politicians like Söder and Spahn and Klöckner and also Friedrich Merz.”
Transition and Reflection
In May, Habeck handed over his ministerial office to Katherina Reiche of the CDU, receiving a standing ovation. The film notes the passage of reforms to the debt brake and advancements in renewable energy as key achievements during his tenure. Interestingly, the documentary reveals that Habeck also supported the construction of new gas power plants for security of supply reasons – a detail seemingly kept private during his time in office.
As of September 1st, Habeck has relinquished his seat in the Bundestag, pursuing opportunities at universities abroad while continuing his “Habeck Live” discussion series at the Berliner Ensemble. The film concludes with Habeck reflecting on his departure from frontline politics: “After I made the decision, I got some air under my wings again.” The final scene shows him taking the stage, suggesting a new chapter focused on intellectual engagement and public discourse.
“Now. Where. – My journey with Robert Habeck,” directed by Lars Jessen, Germany 2025, runs 92 minutes.
