Sticking together: State Secretary Patrick Graichen and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (right)
Image: Imago
The best man affair is the biggest crisis that the former Green star Robert Habeck has experienced in his political career. With the revelations about green felt, his party loses its alleged moral innocence.
No other politician than Robert Habeck can cover up the far too late withdrawal from an untenable position. “The substance of the mistake could be corrected in good time.” The poisonous substance in this case of felt, friendship and family ties in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which was run green for the first time, was the occupation of the top post at the state-owned German Energy Agency DENA. The old (party) friend and best man of Habeck’s most important employee Patrick Graichen should get him. What makes the process so controversial: As a member of the selection committee, the official state secretary was himself involved in this top job award right to the end.
Graichen did not feel self-conscious, despite his personal connection to his favorite applicant, Michael Schäfer. Although the rules in such proceedings dictate avoiding even the mere appearance of benefiting a friend or relative. Only when journalists got wind of the personal details did the “best man affair” take its course.