Angela Merkel regrets Franziska Giffey's resignation as family minister

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Chancellor Merkel with Franziska Giffey before the cabinet meeting on Wednesday

Photo: Michele Tantussi / AP

Around four months before the general election, Franziska Giffey is leaving the federal government: The SPD politician has asked Chancellor Angela Merkel to be dismissed as family minister because of the allegations about her doctoral thesis.

In her speech at the research summit in 2021, Merkel said that she accepted Giffey's resignation "with great respect, but also with great regret."

She always worked "very well and trustingly" with the minister, for which she thanked her "from the bottom of the heart".

Similar reactions came from Giffey's own party.

He took note of the step "with regret and great respect," said SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich.

»With this step Franziska shows greatness.

She stands by her word. «As Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Giffey has done outstanding work for the people.

"She implemented the coalition agreement in all points for her department up to and including the cabinet."

SPD general secretary Lars Klingbeil told the news portal "T-Online" that Giffey was driving "a straight and clear course and was clearly different from many others who respond to difficult situations with swearing and sitting out." Katarina Barley, Vice President of the EU Parliament and former Family Minister, wrote on Twitter that it shows backbone that Giffey is drawing conclusions from the ongoing discussions. "The Berliners will appreciate that you keep your word."

On the other hand, CSU General Secretary Markus Blume was much more critical. In fact, Giffey is "only taking a break to concentrate on the election campaign for the post of governing mayor (in Berlin)," he told the newspapers of the Funke media group. »The resignation of Ms. Giffey was - measured against other cases in the past - as compelling as it was consistent. What is less consistent, however, is that she is sticking to her top candidacy for the House of Representatives elections in Berlin. «AfD boss Tino Chrupalla called Giffey's resignation consistent and correct.

Giffey, head of the Berlin SPD country since November 2020, is running as the top candidate in the House of Representatives election in autumn.

She wants to hold on to that, even if her doctorate is withdrawn.

»The Berlin SPD and Berliners can rely on me.

I stand by that.

My word counts, ”said Giffey in a statement.

The election to the House of Representatives will take place parallel to the Bundestag election on September 26th.

Giffey has a good chance of becoming the new Governing Mayor of the capital.

ulz / cte / dpa