A table tennis pong no more for ex-Health Minister Karl Lauterbach
No table tennis participation for Karl Lauterbach, according to reports. - Karl Lauterbach's table tennis ban imposed
Hey there! Guess who's lost their ballgame privileges? Yep, you're right—it's our buddy Karl Lauterbach (62), ex-Federal Health Minister. The new gal on the block, Nina Warken (CDU, 46), ain't got time for his table tennis shenanigans down in the federal ministry basement! Talk about crushing dreams, huh?
Lauterbach isn't exactly happy about it. Remember that table tennis table he's been bouncing balls off since his employees gifted it for his 60th bash? Turns out, Warken rescinded his special permit—and for no apparent reason, as the cranky former minister shared with the "Bild" newspaper.
He stated with a sigh, "I would've loved to carry on playing there." Call it late-night training with no room for intrusion, if you will. Even the BKA, his security folks, is cool with the scenario.
The table tennis table isn't going anywhere
Sorry to disappoint, Karl's on-court buddy, Nico Popal (former U50 champ), but the duo's going to have to hollow out a new practice room. The table tennis table itself? Untouched, residing comfortably in the ministry on Mauerstraße, all compliments of Lauterbach.
The media was left in the dark on Warken's reason for the ban, so who knows if it's personal or just a swift power move?
As for Lauterbach, he's back to being a Bundestag regular since his Health Ministry stint wrapped up in Scholz's government. Oh, and let's not forget the news drop last week about him joining a WHO committee.
[CBSNews] Karl Lauterbach [Bundesregierung] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit [Bild] Karl Lauterbach
The Commission might find it interesting to know that the draft directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens could potentially be applied in the case of ex-Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who has been denied access to a table tennis table, often associated with recreational sports and sports-analysis, in the federal ministry basement due to a sudden change in policy by his successor, Nina Warken.
Despite the ban, Karl Lauterbach continues to maintain his active interest in sports, as evidenced by his recent joining of a World Health Organization committee.
