It is the hottest question in political Berlin: is the Felt affair in the Federal Ministry of Economics by Robert Habeck (53, Greens) over with the expulsion of State Secretary Patrick Graichen (51) – and is Habeck himself out of the line of fire?
In the TV talk with Sandra Maischberger, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (63, SPD) gave an explosive answer and explained: Despite Graichen’s exit, his cabinet colleague’s crisis is far from over!
Maischberger wanted to know from Pistorius whether the expulsion of the top consultant for Habeck was a liberation or an own goal. Pistorius replied: “It’s hard to say. I would say that depends on how the game progresses, then you can evaluate it.”
How things will continue at Habeck is “open”. Because: “It now depends on many factors that nobody can influence anymore. No one knows what turning the stone will bring. These are situations in which such a house can very quickly develop a life of its own. And one or the other may feel compelled or encouraged to pierce one or the other. This is a difficult phase for Robert Habeck. It’s really a pity.”
▶︎ Means: Pistorius assumes that the turbulence for Habeck is likely to continue! On the one hand, because the internal investigations and press research could bring new feelings and new inconsistencies to light. On the other hand, because ministry employees could pierce processes that further burden the house – or even the minister.
According to Pistorius, Habeck himself could no longer control the situation!
Habeck stood by his State Secretary Graichen for a long time. He announced his expulsion on Wednesday
Pistorius: Graichen’s expulsion was “definitely right”
Pistorius: “I don’t know if there’s anything else. I assume there is nothing left. But I don’t know that. That’s why I say yes: the further course of the game ultimately decides on the evaluation: was that a liberating blow or an own goal?” The SPD minister said clearly about Graichen’s expulsion: “In the end the decision was definitely right.”
State Secretary Graichen has long been criticized for allegations that he was being felt. He wanted to use his best man as head of the federal German Energy Agency (Dena). The fact that the candidate was his best man let Graichen fall under the table.
There were also connections between the Ministry of Economics and Graichen’s siblings, both of whom work at the “Öko-Institut”: an influential think tank that also advises the federal government.
Habeck announcing the expulsion of Graichen
Just last week, Habeck stood firmly behind his scandalous state secretary – then the turning point. On Wednesday, the Green Minister appeared before the press and announced the expulsion.
Reason: Since “yesterday evening” Habeck has had a “test result” about a “fact” that is “not yet publicly known” and that was fatal to Graichen.
︎ On November 30, 2022, Graichen approved several “project outlines” and classified them as “worthy of funding” – so the funding was only a formality. The felt hammer: One of the projects that was to be funded with 600,000 euros came from the Berlin regional association of the ecological organization BUND. On the board of the national association: Graichen’s sister Verena Graichen!
Habeck made it clear: That was too much!