Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Patrick Graichen has come under pressure because of personal ties in filling a top position.
According to the ministry, Graichen had informed Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) at the beginning of the week that the designated new managing director of the federal German Energy Agency (dena), Michael Schäfer, was his best man – but Graichen was a member of a selection committee that suggested Schäfer for the post had.
The Ministry of Economics drew consequences. The procedure for filling the dena post is to be reviewed and, if necessary, relaunched, as the ministry announced.
Trouble with the Greens: “Robert is really no longer from this world”
It was also announced last week that Habeck received the “Energy Coast” award from his own brother. A report of the ” Bild According to the newspaper, the Greens are now rumbling about it.
The newspaper quotes an anonymous Green politician: “Robert is really not from this world anymore. Surely he should realize that it irritates people when a minister allows his own brother to decorate him.”
According to “Bild”, there is also anger in internal chat groups because of the Graichen personality: “It only makes everything worse because nobody believes that Habeck will saw him off. Even if it would probably be better.”
Graichen: “Unfortunately I wasn’t paying attention”
Graichen himself explained on Friday: “Unfortunately, I didn’t pay enough attention in the process of the selection committee. I should have withdrawn from the process from the moment Michael Schäfer became a candidate so that the further process does not give the wrong impression. That was a mistake and I deeply regret that mistake.”
There were calls from the opposition for Graichen’s dismissal. The coalition partner FDP asked Habeck for clarification. There had already been some sharp criticism of family ties among important employees of Habeck. Again, Graichen is the center of attention.
Habeck spokeswoman speaks of “unfortunate mistake”
A spokeswoman for Habeck spoke of a “regrettable mistake” with regard to filling the dena post, but it was “curable”. There is no pure infringement of the law. However, the appearance of a possible bias on the part of Graichen could have arisen. Habeck asked for an internal review at the beginning of the week.
Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Stefan Wenzel, as chairman of dena’s supervisory board, asked the supervisory board on Thursday to review the procedure and, if necessary, set it up again. The procedure is likely to be restarted – Schäfer could lose his post, which he has not yet taken up.
