Standing Up Again: Patrick Graichen's Anticipated Return to Energy Politics
Ex-State Secretary Graichen expresses intent to re-enter politics
Two years after his tumultuous departure from politics, Patrick Graichen, the mastermind behind the controversial heating law, is mulling over a return to the political arena. In an exclusive interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, he openly admits to his past mistakes and sheds light on his motivations for calling it quits – and his eagerness for a comeback.
Reminiscing about the infamous "witness affair" that led to his dismissal, Graichen confesses, "I was fixated, working 18 hours a day, barely taking time to step back and question my actions," he said. Graichen's fall from grace centered around allegations of nepotism, as he was embroiled in the appointment of a new head at the German Energy Agency, who, it turned out later, was his best man. "It was a personal mistake on my part," he acknowledges now.
As the architect of the hotly disputed heating law, Graichen found himself at the epicenter of a political maelstrom. The increasingly heated negotiations over subsidy programs for heating replacements led to his stabbing in the back, as he grimly put it. "The main error, without doubt, was coming off as cold, detached technocrats. The traffic light coalition floundered in a communicative wasteland for weeks due to the FDP's obstruction," Graichen discloses.
Two years hence, Graichen stands steadfast in his beliefs against gas power and is unapologetic about his stance. He believes the world is currently experiencing a reversal of climate policy, akin to "the empire striking back." Feeling compelled to intervene, Graichen has already joined the supervisory board of Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo and is considering penning a book on the topic of clean energy versus dirty gas. "The fight must continue until global warming is halted," he declares.
While his past missteps still linger, Graichen's determination to make a difference in the energy and climate landscape is stronger than ever. "I can't just watch from the sidelines as interests contravert my beliefs – I've got to fight!" Graichen declares resolutely. In the realm of politics, one things for certain – Patrick Graichen hasn't vanished into the wind, and he's not done making waves yet.
- Heating Law
- Gas
- Robert Habeck
Insights: In the past couple of years, Graichen has taken on roles outside of government, including sitting on the supervisory board of Ukrenergo and potentially writing a book about clean energy and gas. Despite staying away from direct political involvement, he is still vocal in his opposition to gas power, advocating for a complete shift to clean energy. Recent developments indicate Graichen's potential return to political office, driven by his commitment to climate policy and concerns about setbacks in Germany's energy transition strategy. [source: ntv.de, mau]
- As Patrick Graichen contemplates a return to political office, his focus remains squarely on the energy and climate landscape, particularly his opposition to gas power and advocacy for clean energy, showcasing his continued involvement in energy policy despite his past political setbacks.
- The forthcoming return of Patrick Graichen to the political arena, along with his potential book on clean energy and his position on the supervisory board of Ukrenergo, raises questions about the future direction of community policy and energy policy in the general-news sphere, as Graichen's stance on the heating law and gas power continue to be contentious topics.
