The controversial German Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Patrick Graichen, will resign. The German press agency in Berlin found out about this on Wednesday, and the news magazine “Der Spiegel” also reported on it.
The top aide of Federal Economy Minister Robert Habeck (both Greens) was recently criticized for his involvement in the selection of his witness for the main post of the Federal German Energy Agency (Dena). Both Graichen and Habeck now speak of a mistake. The procedure for selecting personnel is being rolled out again.
According to information from the dpa, Graichen will be temporarily retired. The background is therefore the results of further internal tests.
After a joint investigation in the energy and economics and climate protection committees in the Bundestag last Wednesday, Habeck stuck with Graichen. “I have decided that Patrick Graichen does not have to go because of this mistake,” the minister said after the two and a half hour meeting. However, an official judicial investigation is now taking place, because the requirements of the Ministry of Economic Affairs have “apparently been violated”.
Opposition representatives were unimpressed after the meeting and saw further open questions. Graichen’s resignation was also repeatedly demanded. Representatives of the CDU/CSU had also called in a commission of inquiry.
There is also criticism of the personal ties at the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Graichen’s sister, married to his colleague Michael Kellner, works like her brother at the Öko-Institut – a research institute commissioned by the German state. The ministry emphasizes that Kellner and Graichen were not involved in tenders that the Öko-Institut could have submitted.
(yam/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
