After the controversial allocation of posts in the Ministry of Economics, Dena Managing Director Schäfer is resigning from his contract, according to information from the “Bild” newspaper. Schäfer’s private connection to State Secretary Graichen had caused criticism.
The Green politician Michael Schäfer is apparently withdrawing from his contract as managing director of the federal energy agency Dena. This is reported by the “Bild” newspaper. Schäfer will also refrain from compensation.
The climate protection expert was only appointed as the new Dena boss in April. He should start his work in June. But Patrick Graichen, State Secretary in Habeck’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, was involved in Schäfer’s selection, although Schäfer is Graichen’s best man. Schäfer’s private connections had become known as the “best man affair”.
The position will be re-advertised
The Dena supervisory board decided on Friday to re-advertise the filling of the post. It is about “removing the concern of bias,” the supervisory board justified the step.
At the CSU party conference on Saturday, CSU leader Markus Söder asked Federal Minister of Economics Habeck to fire his state secretary. Habeck has now repeatedly admitted a mistake in connection with the personnel, but at the same time strengthened Graichen’s back. The state secretary made a mistake, but this was corrected, Habeck said in the Deutschlandfunk.
Graichen im Economic Committee
The Union in the Bundestag wants to summon Economic State Secretary Graichen, who has come under pressure, to the Economic Committee on Wednesday. CDU committee member Tilman Kuban told the “Augsburger Allgemeine” that the primary question was whether other occupations in the ministry’s environment were also made because of family relationships or personal friendships.
It also needs to be clarified why so many employees have been hired in recent months without the usual official procedure. The Union has already brought into play a parliamentary committee of inquiry into the events.