So now the turning point. The reason: loud „Spiegel“ new inconsistencies around the person Graichen have appeared. This time it is about the tendering of expert opinions. According to information from the German Press Agency, Graichen will be placed on temporary retirement.
Patrick Graichen is a central figure in Habeck’s heating law
Graichen, who is considered one of the originators of Habeck’s heating law, has been under criticism for weeks. Above all, the appointment of his best man Michael Schäfer as head of the federal German Energy Agency caused a stir.
Habeck and Graichen subsequently spoke of a “mistake”. It was probably one mistake too many. According to “Spiegel”, all award processes have been checked again in the past few days. It was mainly about Graichen and related persons and institutions. Habeck had already announced a civil service examination because the requirements of the Ministry of Economics had “recognisably been violated”.
Patrick Graichen gone: The search for a successor is already underway
As the magazine continues to write, the search for a successor for Graichen is already underway. This time someone is being sought who has no connection to Graichen or his network.
There will continue to be criticism of the personal ties in the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Graichen’s sister, married to State Secretary Michael Kellner, works like her brother at the Öko-Institut – a research institute that receives orders from the federal government. The ministry had previously emphasized that Kellner and Graichen were not involved in tenders to which the Öko-Institut could have applied.
