Greens face accusations from FDP over "Operation Evening Sun" scheme
In a recent development, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) has been accused by the Greens of attempting to civil service as many party members as possible in an operation dubbed "Operation Sunset," before the 2026 state election.
The controversy was sparked by the FDP's goal to attract and retain the brightest minds, with the possibility of becoming a civil servant being a key factor. State Minister Jörg Krauss defended this personnel offensive of the State Chancellery and the planned increase in the maximum age for civil servants. However, the planned increase in the age limit for new civil servants from 42 to 45 years was scrapped last week.
The Greens' criticism was further fuelled by the conversion and raising of numerous positions in the 2025/2026 double budget. The Greens' interior spokeswoman, Julia Goll, voiced her concerns in the state parliament.
AfD faction leader Anton Baron accused Minister President Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) of breaking his word regarding the reduction of civil service positions and pensions. Baron equated the increase of civil servants in ministries by 50 percent to "antidemocratic and totalitarian tendencies of the party state" and "an extra-parliamentary witch hunt."
Sascha Binder (SPD) criticized the "very undifferentiated debate" and advised the FDP to stand up for the employees. Ulli Hockenberger (CDU) justified his faction's no vote by saying that the civil service status does not tolerate quick fixes.
The Greens did not take up the SPD's proposal not to use the new positions and increases in the double budget before the state election to avoid any suspicion. The CDU faction did not support the plan to increase the age limit for new civil servants.
Meanwhile, it's worth noting that the idea to raise the age limit to 45 years originally came from the Ministry of the Interior, headed by Thomas Strobl (CDU). Strobl's spokesman, Carsten Dehner, confirmed that the Minister proposed the age limit increase, but it was not approved before being forwarded to the State Ministry.
Interestingly, in the same period, the personnel in the state chancelleries of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria increased by 30 and 45 percent, respectively.
Landtag President Muhterem Aras (Greens) intervened, stating that the parties are protected by the Basic Law and that the state is not totalitarian. Peter Seimer (Greens) accused the FDP of bringing civil servants into disrepute with the debate they initiated, sowing mistrust, and promoting violence against them.
Despite the controversy, Krauss regretted that the planned increase in the age limit for civil servants will not be implemented. As of now, there are no widely reported public controversies named "Operation Sunset" related to civil service age limits or lateral entrants in Baden-Württemberg that have been documented. For further insight, it might be necessary to consult official Baden-Württemberg government publications, local news, or specialized legal or administrative resources regarding civil service employment rules and any reform controversies about age limits and hiring lateral entrants.
Economic and social policy is at the center of the recent controversy in Baden-Württemberg, as the Free Democratic Party (FDP) faces criticism from the Greens for their operation "Operation Sunset," which aims to increase party members in civil service positions before the 2026 state election. The controversy over personnel policies and the proposed age limit increase for new civil servants has led to debates in the state parliament, with political parties expressing their views on the matter.
