Former German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung spent Thursday trying to hold on to his position as labor minister. But on Friday, after widespread calls that he throw in the towel, he gave in...In a brief statement on Friday, Jung said he was taking "political responsibility" for having misinformed the German public due to, he claims, a lack of knowledge regarding civilian casualties stemming from a Sept. 4 airstrike Afghanistan. He repeated his Thursday claim that he had "correctly informed both the public and the parliament" to the best of his knowledge at the time.
In a brief statement on Friday, Jung said he was taking "political responsibility" for having misinformed the German public due to, he claims, a lack of knowledge regarding civilian casualties stemming from a Sept. 4 airstrike Afghanistan. He repeated his Thursday claim that he had "correctly informed both the public and the parliament" to the best of his knowledge at the time.
So bye-bye Jung. With him, Hessen state PM and CDU heavyweight Roland Koch's man in the government is out. But he got compensation, see below...
The debacle has made things difficult for Germany's new Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. He is reported to have "exploded" when he first learned of the report -- when he was contacted by Bild on Wednesday for a comment. He immediately called in the General Inspector Schneidhan to see if he was aware of the report. Once it was clear that he had known about it, there was little choice but for him to resign. Peter Wichert, the deputy defense minister, was also fired. Guttenberg was in effect left hanging by his staff. After coming into office, the young minister had quickly said he regretted any civilian casualties but stated that, having seen the NATO report into the incident, the air strike had been "appropriate militarily." He now says he may have to reassess that statement.
Guttenberg was in effect left hanging by his staff. After coming into office, the young minister had quickly said he regretted any civilian casualties but stated that, having seen the NATO report into the incident, the air strike had been "appropriate militarily." He now says he may have to reassess that statement.
No way the media won't find their darling zu Guttenberg saved.
On Friday afternoon it was announced that current Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen is to take over at the Labor Ministry. She will be replaced by the relatively unknown Kristina Köhler at the Family Ministry.
Köhler, however, comes from Koch's Hessen state, and according to the German Wiki, made a name by misinterpreting a scientific study to claim a wave of "anti-German attacks" by foreigners living in Germany... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
I am amused to note that the Zeit is headlining its story on the appointment of Köhler (who is just 32) "Young, blond and no clue about families". The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
I view the tax cut mess similarly: that's not a promise that she can't back out from, and the growling regional barons might just be her excuse towards the FDP. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Der Streit über die ab Januar geplanten Steuerentlastungen belastet die Union schwer. Mehrere Unions-Länder wollen die von Angela Merkel geplante Reform im Bundesrat blockieren. Das wäre eine schwere Niederlage für die Kanzlerin. Bei einen Vermittlungsgespräch am Donnerstagabend wurde es laut.
The Schleswig-Holstein PM threatened with his resignation over the tax cuts. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Who knew? The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
Oh hold the horses. Guttenberg is again presented as the innocent guy not informed and thereby betrayed by the ministry staff, acting out of moral outrage. Why is no one asking whether Guttenberg omitted in the first place to ask for documents on the Kunduz case?... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
