A Shake-up at the Ministry of Defense: Jan Stoess Takes on a Key Role
Defense Minister Pistorius Appoints New State Secretary
Get ready for some changes at the Ministry of Defense! Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is reorganizing his top team, in sync with Chancellor Friedrich Merz who recently advocated for a hiring halt. The latest move? A new State Secretary on board.
The Ministry of Defense is set to welcome a third State Secretary. Stepping into the role is 51-year-old Jan Stoess, according to the ministry's announcement. This expansion is in line with Chancellor Merz of the CDU and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil.
In other news, Jens Ploetner, who used to be the foreign policy advisor to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the SPD, has been tapped to become the State Secretary for Armament and Innovation in the Ministry of Defense. With this move, the 57-year-old Ploetner takes over from the previous State Secretary Benedikt Zimmer. Ploetner's mission? Accelerate procurement and push forward critical European armaments projects.
Stoess is a seasoned lawyer, currently heading the department for law and organization within the ministry. From 2012 to 2016, he was the chairman of the Berlin SPD, although he was later surpassed by Mayor Michael Mueller. Since March 2022, Stoess has been serving in the defense department. The ministry justifies his appointment due to the intensified security policy situation, which has led to a significant increase in tasks and time pressure.
Recently, Merz had pledged, "We will immediately impose a hiring freeze for the public sector, primarily for the federal ministries" after assuming office. However, he later clarified that his statement only applied to the federal administration. "Of course," essential positions must still be filled. Yet, Merz, as Chancellor, now seems to have rethought his stance. In fact, there's currently a record number of top positions in reunified Germany—and one more ministry than under the traffic light government.
So, what's the deal with Ploetner's new role? As the State Secretary for Armament and Innovation, Ploetner will oversee the development and procurement of military equipment and technology. His objective is to equip the German military with modern and effective systems, aligning with the country's defense strategy and international commitments.
As the Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius is working diligently to modernize and strengthen the German military in the face of evolving European security challenges. With the addition of Jan Stoess and Jens Ploetner, he's bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the table. Stay tuned for more updates!
Sources: ntv.de, gho/dpa
- Ministry of Defense
- Boris Pistorius
- Friedrich Merz
- Jan Stoess, a seasoned lawyer and current department head for law and organization within the Ministry of Defense, has been appointed as the third State Secretary, contributing to the intensified security policy situation and the increased tasks and time pressure.
- Jens Ploetner, formerly an advisor to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is now the State Secretary for Armament and Innovation in the Ministry of Defense, responsible for modernizing and equipping the German military with advanced and effective systems, in alignment with the country's defense strategy and international commitments.
