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Habeck bursts because of Graichen affair of the collar: Minister storms on CDU politicians

2023-05-10T21:46:20.588Z

Highlights: In the witness affair, Habeck stands by the controversial state secretary. But the Graichen scandal is leaving its mark. In the Bundestag, the minister lost his composure. In some cases, politicians from the SPD and FDP have been involved in a battle with several hours of questioning. The background to this is the selection of a new managing director for the state-owned German Energy Agency (Dena) The choice fell on Michael Schefer, the best man of Habecker's state secretary Patrick Graichen.



In the witness affair, Habeck stands by the controversial state secretary. But the Graichen scandal is leaving its mark. In the Bundestag, the minister lost his composure.

Berlin - Demands for resignation, hours of questioning and a lot of public criticism: In the witness affair, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) has lost his nerve for a short time. In a current hour on the allegations surrounding his controversial state secretary Patrick Graichen, the Green politician suddenly jumped up and stormed after a CDU colleague in the Bundestag. But he reacted calmly – and suddenly got help from Bundestag Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP).

What happened? During the questioning of the witness affair on Wednesday afternoon (May 10), Habeck had not been able to stand it in his seat on the government bench, according to a report in the Bild newspaper. After the speech by Union politician Tilmann Kuban, who had repeatedly publicly called for the resignation of State Secretary Patrick Graichen, the minister suddenly ran after him – and confronted him in a one-on-one skirmish.

Best man affair: Habeck indulges in a skirmish with Kuban during questioning in the Bundestag

Earlier, Kuban had made serious accusations against the minister because of the "Graichen affair" and accused his ministry of organized nepotism. Publicly, in the debate of Habeck, he now demanded answers to questions such as: "What are the consequences under service law against Mr. Graichen? (...) How many positions have been filled in recent months with friends and acquaintances from Agora Energiewende, the Oeko-Institut or other organisations?" Subsequently, he again called for the dismissal of Graichen because of the witness affair – and "faster than the Germans replace their heaters".

Was heavily loaded on Wednesday because of the witness affair: Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens). © Kay Nietfeld/dpa

But for Habeck, this was probably the wrong place. Shortly before his seat, he catches Kuban and hisses at him why he didn't ask his question at the special meeting of the Economic Committee. There, the witness affair had been discussed for more than two hours between the deputies, who had quoted the Minister of Economics and Graichen there for a report.

Groomsman affair

The background to this is the selection of a new managing director for the state-owned German Energy Agency (Dena). The choice fell on Michael Schefer, the best man of Habeck's state secretary Patrick Graichen. The latter had only disclosed the connection late in the selection process. In the meantime, the position is being re-advertised. But there are other personnel interdependencies in the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Graichen's sister, who is married to his colleague Michael Kellner, works like her brother at the Oeko-Institut - a research institution that receives orders from the federal government. The ministry emphasizes that Kellner and Graichen were not involved in tenders for which the Oeko-Institut could have applied.

Graichen affair: Kubicki intervenes in the dispute between Habeck and Kuban

But Kuban is not letting this sit on him. He understands that the minister is under pressure. But not so many questions were allowed in the committee. He probably did not get any further with his justification for the questions asked in the Graichen affair in the Bundestag.

Because then Bundestag Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP), who is not exactly considered a Habeck friend, intervened. According to the Liberal, the gentlemen should, please, "move their duel outside" or at least let everyone in the Chamber participate in it. At that moment, Habeck then let go of the CDU politician.

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Nepotism and felt? Habeck rejects Patrick Graichen's resignation

In any case, for Habeck this Wednesday was a major day of battle with several hours of questioning. In some cases, politicians from the SPD and FDP also complain about the adherence to Graichen and demand a complete clarification. Habeck himself has admitted mistakes in his house.

But he does not want to drop his state secretary, who is supposed to enforce the energy and climate transition for him with the Heating Act, among other things. He made this clear again afterwards. It was not "a mistake, which is why someone has to go," said the Habeck and rejected further consequences in the witness affair.

Lousy polls: Greens stand by Habeck and smell campaign

At least in his party, which is in decline because of the felt allegations in the polls, Habeck meets with backing. There has long been a sense of a deliberate propaganda by the Union against its minister. In the attacks of the opposition there is above all a "campaign against climate protection," complains parliamentary group deputy Andreas Audretsch, according to tagesschau.de.

But the time of fossil CDU lobbyists in state offices has expired, he rails combatively – and one can be happy about Habeck in this office: He has "brought the country well through the winter," he shouts. But at this moment, only Greens are said to have clapped. Even in the ranks of the SPD and FDP, not everyone wanted to applaud. (jkf

)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2023-05-10

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