No Politically Castrated Broker: Thorsten Frei Speaks Out on Chancellery Expansion and More
Foreign Affairs Commissioner Mr Frei declared: "I stated my views as follows..."
Welcome to the behind-the-scenes of Germany's new government! In this unfiltered chat, Thorsten Frei, the freshly minted head of the Federal Chancellery, opens up about his role, tackling issues, and his bold plan for the Chancellery expansion.
"I'm more than just a political eunuch, mate," Frei asserts, as he takes on his challenging role as an "honest broker" for the federal government. "I'm a CDU federal minister, not a neutered chimp," he adds, aiming to end any doubts about his political loyalties.
A former opposition critic of the Chancellery expansion project, Frei now defends the costly expansion. "It's not a vanity project," he claims, asserting that the construction is too far along to be stopped now. "There's something actually growing over there," he admits, acknowledging the progress made. The plan is now aimed at finding a cost-effective solution for further development.
As for his role in the new black-red coalition, Frei foresees a stable collaboration. "Of course, this chaos-coalition will last four years," he predicts, alluding to the WP-SPD-Bündnis coalition's rocky start. The key to longevity, according to Frei, lies in the coalition's adaptability. "If things get shaky, we'll put the coalition agreement on hold and come up with new solutions," he assures. He emphasizes the urgency of getting the new government running smoothly. "We want to show the world before the summer break that this government is leagues ahead of the old," he declares.
To streamline the German government, Frei plans to reduce personnel across ministries, including the Chancellery. The goal is to trim two percent of employees per year, ensuring no one is immune to the cuts. "I can't be a hypocrite and only demand the hard stuff from others," he says. In addition, the government aims to eliminate the "commissioner craze," reining in unnecessary and often redundant roles. This isn't just a cost-saving measure, but a step towards efficient state organization.
In the words of the Chancellor's Minister, "It's time to reverse the bloated government trend." Get ready for change, folks!
- Key Points:
- Thorsten Frei, head of the Federal Chancellery, challenges the notion of being a neutral "broker."
- The Chancellery expansion project will move forward, with a focus on efficient solutions.
- The new government plans to reduce personnel across ministries, including the Chancellery, by two percent per year.
- Frei aims to eliminate the "commissioner craze," ensuring efficient state organization.
- Thorsten Frei, in his role as the head of the Federal Chancellery, questions the label of a politically neutral "broker," asserting his loyalties to the CDU.
- Frei defends the Chancellery's expansion, stating that it is not a mere vanity project, and acknowledges the progress made, claiming that the construction is too far along to be halted now.
- In an effort to streamline the German government, Frei proposes to reduce personnel across ministries, including the Chancellery, by two percent each year, and to eliminate the "commissioner craze," focusing on efficient state organization.
- Frei foresees a stable collaboration within the black-red coalition, suggesting that adaptability is key to the coalition's longevity, and emphasizing the urgency of ensuring a smooth-running government before the summer break.
