The Federal Ministry of the Interior is undergoing a significant restructuring under the direction of Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). A letter to staff, revealed by “Der Spiegel”, indicates the reintroduction of a third state secretary position, filled by Sebastian Wüste. Wüste, formerly head of the CSU strategy staff within the Bundestag during Dobrindt’s tenure as CSU Federal Group Leader, will oversee the newly named “Democracy and Society” department, encompassing the Central and Homeland departments.
Several key departmental leadership positions will also be newly appointed. Hendrik Lörges has been selected as head of the Leadership Department, tasked with maintaining engagement of relevant departments in decision-making processes despite planned departmental downsizing. Lörges previously served as an advisor in the office of CSU parliamentarian Andrea Lindholz, who was a deputy chair of the Union parliamentary group responsible for interior policy and as a spokesperson for the Ministry under former CSU Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich.
Ulrike Hornung will take over leadership of the department for “Migration, Refugee and Return Policy” following Dobrindt’s prompt placement of the previous leader into early retirement shortly after assuming office, a move reportedly intended to usher in a fresh approach to migration-related matters. Andreas Mom will assume the role of new head for the “Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Legal Affairs” department.
Andrea Schumacher will lead the department for Crisis Management and Civil Protection, returning to the ministry after holding leadership positions at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and the Federal Institute of Sports Science. Dobrindt’s communication indicates the early retirement of her predecessor.
Arne Schlatmann will become the new head of the department for “Federal Police Affairs” bringing with him experience in security services spanning back to the 1990s, primarily within the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Isabel Schmitt-Falckenberg, his predecessor, will receive a role focused on special assignments.