The Foreign Office (AA) is reportedly resisting the return of two senior officials previously employed by the Federal Office of the President. These individuals are Dörte Dinger, the department director, and Wolfgang Silbermann, the head of the foreign affairs section. They plan to return to the Foreign Ministry after Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s term ends next year. Both had previously been brought into the Foreign Office by the then-SPD faction chief in 2013 when he served as minister.
According to the magazine’s information, the department led by Johann Wadephul (CDU) has indicated during discussions with the Federal Office of the President that Dinger and Silbermann do not possess the right to return. This is because they were employed as contractual workers (Tarifangestellte) in the Foreign Office. They only became fully salaried civil servants and advanced to highly paid positions while working at the Federal Office of the President.
These “career changers” are viewed critically by established, full civil servants, who argue that because they did not undergo the standard attaché training, they could potentially take coveted positions.
Reports suggest that Dinger and Silbermann have internally signaled that they would be satisfied with an ambassador post that falls below their current salary level. While Steinmeier is said to have campaigned for his close staff, the final authority rests with Wadephul. At present, there is no indication that he intends to accept these former associates of Steinmeier.
