Virologist Hendrik Streeck is the new government drug representative

The virologist and CDU member of the Bundestag Hendrik Streeck is the new federal government’s new drug representative. The cabinet appointed the 47-year-old on Wednesday at the suggestion of Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU), as the ministry then announced. Streeck replaces the SPD politician Burkhard Blienert. The Saxon SPD member of the state parliament Sophie Koch was employed as the new queer officer. In total, however, black and red canceled 25 of the 43 representatives of the government and ministries.

Among other things, the point of the drug representative is preserved. “Addiction and drugs are not border issues- they affect millions of people and are a test stone for the strength of our health and social system,” said Streeck about his calling.

“As a doctor and scientist, I do not want to remind my index finger, but help, enlighten and act.” He wanted to work for “an evidence -based, preventive and human -related drug policy”.

With Streeck, “a popular scientist is a drug representative,” said Minister of Health Warken. “His medical background will help to notify the drug debate that is often emotionally charged.”

Streeck is the head of the Institute of Virology at the University Hospital Bonn. It has been a member of the Bundestag since the election in February. The scientist had become known in the broader public during the Corona pandemic.

He often represented less strict positions in terms of protective measures. After the Bundestag election in February, Streeck was also under discussion as a possible new Federal Minister of Health.

The federal cabinet also blessed another personnel: 31-year-old Saxon SPD member of the state parliament Sophie Koch was appointed new representative for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity. The queer officer is located in the Ministry of Family Affairs. So far, the Green politician Sven Lehmann has held this post. He now heads the cultural committee in the Bundestag.

“There are hostility and attacks on queer people. It is a very important sign that a strong Saxon voice from the community now represents its concerns and concerns in Berlin, advertises acceptance and diversity,” said Minister of State Petra Köpping. “The work of the federal representatives is more important than ever.”

According to a spokesman, the black and red federal government has already abolished more than half of the federal representatives. 25 of the 43 jobs so far have been deleted, said Vice government spokesman Sebastian Hille on Wednesday. This corresponds to 58 percent of the federal representatives.

In particular, the CDU had repeatedly criticized the number of agents, which was significantly increased under the traffic light government, and promised a reduction in the event of a change of government. In the coalition agreement, the CDU, CSU and SPD finally agreed on a halving. This goal has now been exceeded, Hille emphasized.

The full list will be published when deciding on all positions. This list is led by the newly created Ministry of Digitization and State Modernization.