German economy minister’s top aide loses job after nepotism scandal

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) – A top aide of German Economy Minister Robert Habeck would leave his post after allegations of nepotism, local media reported on Wednesday.

Patrick Graichen, the state secretary at the Economic Affairs and Climate Action Ministry, will leave his post and take early retirement, German press agency DPA reported.

The senior official was accused of nepotism after media reports revealed that his close friend was appointed as the head of the German Energy Agency in March.

The 51-year-old politician was part of the committee which was involved in selecting the new head of the agency, but did not disclose that one of the candidates was his friend, according to the reports.

Opposition parties claimed that it was not a single case of nepotism, and various other positions as well as contracts were given to close friends or relatives.

Habeck and his party, the Greens, were under growing pressure in recent weeks due to the allegations of misconduct and nepotism at the Economy Ministry.