The CDU politician calls for consequences in the affair of personal ties: The matter must “as for any other official in this case, entail disciplinary proceedings”.
After a hearing with the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Patrick Graichen, on the allegation of staff fraud, the CDU politician Julia Klöckner calls for disciplinary proceedings against him. Graichen was involved in filling the top post at the federal German Energy Agency (Dena), for which a close friend of his initially had a chance before criticism arose and the appointment process restarted.
Klöckner reported that Graichen was the first to suggest the name of his best man, Michael Schäfer, to the personnel consultancy commissioned with the search for candidates. She sits for the Union in the Bundestag Economic Committee, which asked Graichen about it on Wednesday. Klöckner went on to say that in the official candidate interview, Graichen even used his friend’s address. “The mixture of cover-up and a very active role in the selection process must not remain without consequences, but must lead to disciplinary proceedings, as for any other official in this case,” she demanded. Graichen knowingly violated the code of conduct for civil servants.
The affair is also about other personal ties. The Graichen siblings work for environmental institutions that receive orders from the ministry – but according to the department, these orders do not go over Graichen’s desk. His sister is also married to his fellow State Secretary, Michael Kellner.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
