After the collapse of the traffic light coalition, 124 officials were promoted to federal ministries in December 2024, all of whom had previously held at least the A15 salary grade. This is revealed in a previously unpublished response from the federal government to a parliamentary inquiry by CDU Bundestag member Matthias Hauer, which was reported by the “Welt” (Friday edition).
The majority of promotions took place in the Foreign Office under the leadership of Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and in the SPD-led ministries of Development, Labour, and the Interior. The Foreign Office, under the leadership of Annalena Baerbock, promoted 48 officials in December, out of a total of 130 high-ranking officials in 2024. In the Development Ministry, led by Svenja Schulze (SPD), there were 26 promotions in December, out of a total of 27 in 2024. Hubertus Heils (SPD) Labour Ministry promoted 16 officials in December, and a total of 28 in the year 2024. In the Interior Ministry, under the leadership of Nancy Faeser (SPD), 11 officials were promoted in December, and a total of 24 in 2024.
Hauer spoke of an “unseemly promotion offensive on the last traffic light meters” and a “self-service mentality” among the SPD and Greens. “Instead of exercising restraint in promotions after the coalition’s collapse, the SPD and Greens are drawing from the full well” the finance politician said. Given the timing after the coalition’s collapse and the high numbers, the impression arises that “the promotions were not exclusively based on professional considerations.” The taxpayers will pay the price for this “Operation Sunset” he said.
The affected federal ministries categorically rejected the accusations. The promotions were decided in the framework of regular promotion rounds, which had been initiated before the FDP’s exit from the federal government. There was no pre-judgment of the future federal government. All promotions were “planned in the long term, taking into account the personal and budgetary regulations.