Politics welcomes a new player: the former moderator of "Tagethemas" now enters the political sphere.
In a surprising turn of events, Berlin-born journalist Aline Abboud has announced her move from the world of journalism to politics, taking on the role of Head of the Press Office at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) starting August 18, 2025.
This career shift comes after Abboud decided not to return to the ARD evening news show, "Tagesthemen", following her maternity leave earlier in 2025. Her departure from journalism reflects a deliberate choice to pursue new challenges in the political sphere.
In her new position, Abboud will work directly under SPD Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan, Germany's youngest cabinet minister, who heads the BMZ. Abboud expressed her excitement and gratitude for the trust placed in her, looking forward to collaborating closely with Minister Alabali-Radovan and her team.
Prior to this transition, Abboud was well-known as a seasoned journalist with extensive experience at German national media and international reporting, including work with Reuters and public broadcasters like ZDF and ARD. Her background in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, combined with her deep ties to political and development topics, makes her a valuable asset in her new role.
Abboud's new role involves communication on complex and sometimes controversial development aid issues amid political budget cuts and public debate. This move represents a move from media into a high-profile governmental role where Abboud will play a key part in communicating German development policy.
Abboud's career journey began at ZDF in 2016, and she moved to ARD in 2021. She took over from Pinar Atalay at "Tagesthemen" in the same year. Abboud announced her decision not to return to "Tagesthemen" after the birth of her first child in November 2024.
Abboud finds her career step somewhat surreal, as she expressed, "I still can't believe it." However, she is excited about her new role, the great team, and the international topics she will be working on. Abboud confirmed her new role by sharing the ministry's press release on Instagram.
Sources:
- ARD Press Release
- Tagesthemen Article
- Bild Article
- Deutsche Welle Article
- ZDF Article
- Aline Abboud's career development has taken an unexpected turn as she transitions from journalism to the political realm, focusing on education and self-development by accepting the position of Head of the Press Office at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
- The general news about Aline Abboud's career shift has sparked much interest, with reports about her move signifying a conscious decision to delve into career development within the political sector, thereby influencing development aid policies and public discourse about them.
