New job
Merkel’s government spokesman Steffen Seibert is to become the new ambassador to Israel
Steffen Seibert, former government spokesman
© Michael Kappeler / DPA
He was government spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel for more than eleven years. According to a media report, Steffen Seibert is now to represent Germany as ambassador. It should not be the only new appointment in the German diplomatic mission.
According to a report by the “Sueddeutsche Zeitung” fill several of the most important ambassadorships. Steffen Seibert, who was Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government spokesman for more than eleven years, is to represent Germany in Israel, the paper writes.
In Washington, Ambassador Emily Haber’s term of office, who is actually reaching retirement age, should be extended. For this post, the FDP brought their member of parliament Alexander Graf Lambsdorff into play, who will now not be considered in this round. The report was confirmed by the DPA news agency on Wednesday from government circles.
Several top officials are given ambassadorships
According to the report, Miguel Berger, who was replaced as State Secretary after the change of government, will go to Great Britain for Andreas Michaelis, who was brought back to Berlin as State Secretary by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens). In Spain, Maria Gosse, head of the Central Department of the Federal Foreign Office, will replace Ambassador Wolfgang Dold, who is moving to Mexico. Thomas Bagger, most recently head of the foreign department in the Office of the Federal President, will take over the post in Poland.
Philipp Ackermann, previously head of Political Department 3, which is responsible for relations with 110 countries in the Near and Middle East, Africa and Latin America, is to be sent to India. In China, Patricia Flor is to succeed Jan Hecker, who died a few days after taking office in September and was Merkel’s security adviser before his transfer.