Deputy Economy Minister Patrick Greichen resigned today over the nepotism and abuse of power scandal that has come to the fore in recent days.

“It’s a difficult decision. It’s hard for me and it’s hard for Patrick Greichen,” Treasury Secretary Robert Habek said, obviously charged, and added that “people make mistakes,” but there are too many mistakes, the ministry’s internal review showed. “We have decided not to continue our cooperation,” the minister continued, stressing that “the preservation of the authority of the ministry as an institution is at stake.”

Mr. Habek, who has so far covered for his close associate, even with the approval of Chancellor Olaf Soltz, also said Mr. Greichen has received more criticism than his fair share and malicious comments from far-right circles on social media. which were later reproduced by pro-Russian accounts. “This is not the first and not the last time, but the political confrontation should not and cannot take place in this way,” the minister added.

The scandal erupted earlier this month when it was revealed that Patrick Greichen was on the committee that elected his best man, Michael Schaefer, head of the Department of Economics-controlled Federal Energy Agency (Dena). However, as revealed by internal investigations, preference was also given to an environmental organization in which the sister of Mr. Greichen Verena, who is also the wife of another deputy minister of the economy, Michael Kellner, holds a senior position.

Source: RES-IPE