He is the big loser in the green felt affair: Green politician Michael Schäfer (50) is out. About Economy Minister Robert Habeck (53, Greens), Schäfer will withdraw from his contract as managing director of the government-owned energy agency Dena, according to BILD information.
Instead of a mega position with an annual salary of 190,000 euros, he now has no job at all!
The climate protection expert Schäfer, who is recognized across party lines, was appointed the new Dena boss in April and should start work in June. But his best man was on the selection committee for the post – Patrick Graichen (51), State Secretary in Robert Habeck’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (53, Greens). Graichen concealed his close relationship with Schäfer. Now the recruitment process has to be rolled out again – without Schäfer!
“It’s clear that with the new method, the result can’t be called Michael Schäfer again, no matter how good he is,” said a green man to BILD.
It was therefore agreed with the energy expert Schäfer that he would withdraw from his contract. And that with this step he also waived a lavish compensation. A damage limitation treaty.
If the taxpayers also had to pay compensation for Habeck’s state secretary Graichen’s mistake, it would have a catastrophic effect, was the unanimous opinion. The agreement is the Greens’ attempt to put the lid on the affair.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck (53, Greens)
But is the sacrifice Schäfer enough? Or do the Greens also have to clear their scandalous State Secretary Graichen?
So far, Minister Habeck has stuck to his man for the energy transition. But now, according to BILD information, nervousness is growing in the top of the Greens.
On Sunday evening, party leaders Ricarda Lang (29) and Omid Nouripour (47) defended the approach to the Graichen case: mistakes had happened, but they would be healed. In general, the feeling among the CDU and CSU, which is massively attacking the Greens, is much greater. However, the performances were not well received in the party, according to BILD information there was internal criticism.
This is also due to the upcoming state elections: Bad things are expected for Bremen, where citizens will vote on Sunday. “I’ll be happy if we’re still in double digits,” says a green man. In the last election, the eco-party achieved 17.4 percent. Massive pressure comes from Hesse. Vice Prime Minister Tarek al-Wazir (52) actually wanted to become Prime Minister there in the fall. Now the state association sees itself drawn into a downward spiral by the federal party.
The negative reporting in the Graichen case does not stop. And there are fears within the party that more could come up. Tests are being carried out in Habeck’s ministry to see if there is anything else lurking.
Now the Greens have to weigh up what the greater risk is: sticking to Graichen and damaging the credibility of the party permanently with the next mistake? Or replace the energy transition manager in the middle of the toughest negotiations? In that case, a replacement would be needed. And someone who is immediately saddle-proof.
︎ There is always only one name mentioned by the Greens: Rainer Baake (67). He is Graichen’s predecessor – at the climate protection think tank Agora and as State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs.