A former diplomat, Christoph Heusgen, has criticized the nomination of Annalena Baerbock for the UN job, calling it a “manipulative career continuation” and an “assumption” of the top diplomatic position. Heusgen, a former foreign and security policy advisor to Angela Merkel and a permanent representative of Germany to the United Nations, argued that the nomination of Baerbock, a current foreign minister, is an obvious favoritism, neglecting the experience and qualifications of Helga Schmid, a renowned German diplomat.
According to Heusgen, Schmid, a former OSCE secretary general, is the “best and internationally experienced German diplomat” who has been overlooked in favor of Baerbock. Schmid’s biography, available on the OSCE website, highlights her extensive diplomatic career, including her roles as a director at the European External Action Service and as a high representative of the European Union.
In an interview, Heusgen also mentioned that the nomination of Baerbock is an “action of the evening sun” a common practice in German politics, where old governments favor their own officials with high-ranking positions in the last days of their term. This practice is also known as “Operation Abendsonne” in Berlin.
Sigmar Gabriel, a former SPD foreign minister, commented on the nomination, saying that Schmid is a “great diplomat” and that Baerbock can learn from her. The German government has reportedly informed the ministerial departments of its intention to nominate Baerbock for the UN job, with the cabinet expected to approve the nomination in a routine procedure.