DER SPIEGEL: Mr. Lauterbach, were you stunned when you learned last weekend that you were going to become Germany’s next federal health minister?

Lauterbach: I was just happy. It’s a big job, but it is also a gift.

DER SPIEGEL: The rumor is that you didn’t even expect to get the nomination. How did you still manage to show up with a fresh haircut for your swearing in?

Lauterbach: I hope my haircut doesn’t give the impression that I went to an amateur hairdresser in my apartment building in a rush. No worries: I was in professional hands. It was time again anyway.