Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has re‑appointed the heads of seven German embassies at the B9 pay grade-Tel Aviv, Moscow, Mexico City, Madrid, Beijing, New Delhi and Brasília-according to the “Spiegel”, citing its own information. The Ministry says the appointments, all made on Wadephul’s proposal, will be ratified by the cabinet this Wednesday.
“Tel Aviv”
Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, who is currently ambassador in Moscow, will move to Tel Aviv. He succeeds Steffen Seibert, former Cabinet press spokesman who now retires after taking the post in summer 2022.
“Moscow”
Clemens von Goetze, currently ambassador in Mexico City and former envoy in Tel Aviv, Beijing and Tokyo, will become the new ambassador to Moscow.
“Mexico City”
Maria Margarete Gosse, who has been German ambassador in Madrid and previously headed the Foreign Office’s Central Department (2018-2022), will take over the post in Mexico City.
“Madrid”
Heiko Thoms-who at Wadephul’s request had recently started as ambassador in Kyiv-will replace Gosse in Madrid. His succession in Kyiv is still pending cabinet approval.
“New Delhi”
Jasper Wieck, the current Political Director in the German Defence Ministry’s “Bendlerblock”, will return to India as ambassador. He replaces Philipp Ackermann, who is appointed ambassador to Beijing. Ackermann has served as envoy in Washington and led the Foreign Office’s Political Department 3, which deals with the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
“Brasília”
Patricia Flor, formerly the German ambassador to China and former head of the EU delegation in Tokyo, will become the new ambassador to Brasília. She follows Bettina Cadenbach, who is retiring.
The Foreign Office explained that, in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, host countries must be informed in advance and give their consent before an ambassador is posted. “To respect the host government’s decision, we confirm personnel details only after receiving approval” it added. The Ministry said the so‑called unified transfer date occurs each summer, with many German diplomatic posts rotating annually.