Employees within the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs have reportedly voiced strong criticism against Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU). According to the “Handelsblatt” (Wednesday edition), which referenced several attendees, multiple civil servants harshly challenged the minister during an internal staff meeting.
Viktoria Ludwig, the head of the staff council, claimed that the ongoing changes were putting strain on colleagues, leading to increasing health concerns. The internal unrest was emphasized as a significant issue. The complaints against Reiche centered on several points, including the high volume of external hires within the ministry. Furthermore, staff members in various specialist departments felt partially disconnected from the Minister. One minister from the economic policy department stated during the meeting that she did not feel valued.
The report indicated that Reiche responded to the criticisms with some understanding. She defended the institution, stating that the ministry is characterized by a high degree of professionalism, and she expressed gratitude for this commitment. However, Reiche also sought patience and understanding regarding her management approach. She explained the high workload by citing the challenging economic environment, telling staff that this was a situation nobody could ignore.
