Despite criticism of her social media activities in the context of the Gaza war, Geraldine Rauch, President of the Berlin Technical University, wants to remain in office. However, Chancellor Scholz will no longer be using her as an advisor.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has removed the President of the TU Berlin, Geraldine Rauch, from his circle of advisors. The Chancellor has decided that she will no longer be a member of the so-called Future Council in the future, said deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann to journalists in Berlin.
Rauch will not be reappointed to the council when the appointment of the members of this council is due to be extended. “From the Chancellor’s point of view, the allegations against her are serious and have not yet been resolved,” the spokeswoman explained the move. She did not want to comment on Rauch’s intention to remain TU President.
Berlin’s CDU parliamentary group leader calls for Geraldine Rauch’s resignation
Rauch is under criticism because she “liked” at least one anti-Semitic post on platform X.
Berlin’s CDU parliamentary group leader Dirk Stettner believes that the resignation of the president of the Technical University of Berlin, Geraldine Rauch, is unavoidable. “Imagine what would have happened if a politician had liked swastikas and look at what rightly happened with drunken youths on Sylt who were chanting racist songs. All true. But the same standard must be applied to a university president,” said Stettner on RBB Inforadio. “I expect the university committees to look into this intensively and think very carefully about whether this lady can really be kept in this position,” said the CDU politician. However, he believes that decency dictates that she resign herself.
Stettner went on to say that anyone who likes anti-Semitic posts that clearly show red swastikas is acting anti-Semitic, “that should be very clear.” He doesn’t believe anyone who says they don’t look at the picture before liking a post. Liking swastikas is not an excusable mistake in such a public office. “No, there are consequences.”
University supervisory board meets on Monday
Stettner justified the persistent criticism of Rauch from the ranks of the Berlin CDU. “Anyone who speaks out publicly must also expect public responses,” he said. “Anti-Semitism is certainly not covered by university autonomy.” This is about someone who has made anti-Semitic statements and is not prepared to face the consequences. “She is actually doing everything she can to be able to hold on to her position, although the spark of decency should have contributed to her resigning long ago.”
Rauch announced on Thursday that she wanted to stay in office, although a narrow majority in the university’s Academic Senate had previously voted in favor of her resignation. On Monday, the TU’s supervisory board, the so-called board of trustees, will hold a special meeting.
Central Council of Jews criticizes Rauch’s behavior
There is also criticism from the Central Council of Jews: “Professor Rauch could have prevented further damage to the TU Berlin, but she did not use this opportunity,” said a spokesman.
“At a time when hatred of Israel is rampant at German universities, Professor Rauch has shown by liking several anti-Semitic posts and her subsequent behavior that she does not have the necessary understanding and sensitivity to recognize the seriousness of the situation,” it continued. “She should have drawn the necessary conclusions from this. Instead, she is playing for time and trying to legally whitewash her misconduct, while Jewish students and lecturers are afraid to attend universities.”
Source: Stern
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