Life as a Parliamentary State Secretary: The Intricate Role of Germany's Political Liaisons
Parliamentary State Secretaries: Their Role in the New Government - Parliamentary State Secretaries: Their Roles in the New Administration
(by Nico Fried)
After a long stint as a parliamentary state secretary, she still remembers the chaotic weekends spent on coalition meetings and party events, answering the minister's frantic calls and jumping into his shoes at the last minute. Representing her minister, often at mundane events with limited attention and lengthy travel times, was a critical part of the job. Yet, it came with the territory - being a parliamentary state secretary (PStS) meant standing in the political trenches, even when the battles seemed insignificant.
The term PStS might sound like a prestigious title, but it is far from a coveted position. While sitting on the government bench, PStS are not official members of the government - they hold neither cabinet seats nor voting rights. Protectors and key communicators between the ministers and the Bundestag, PStS find themselves in a unique position - bridging the gap between politics and policy.
Becoming a PStS can be both an honor and a burden. The role requires navigating the treacherous waters of parliament as a member of the Bundestag, all while juggling countless requests from fellow parliamentarians and sitting through the marathon plenary sessions. For those who once harbored dreams of becoming ministers, a job as a PStS might feel like a mere consolation, though with a pay raise and a shiny car with a driver as perks.
If you're a PStS in the finance ministry, you'll have your work cut out for you. During debates on the various ministries' budgets, you'll have to ensure your ministry's presence for an exhausting four days. And to add insult to injury, your minister might swoop in and upstage you right when things start getting interesting. Legend has it that Brigitte Zypries, the former PStS for the economics ministry, found herself in the spotlight when her minister, Sigmar Gabriel, was often absent. Standing next to Angela Merkel, she and the vice-chancellor talked shop, exchanging war stories about their orthopedic woes - thanks to the same medical professional.
Within the ministry, a PStS's influence is limited. The permanent civil servants, those fixtures of the bureaucracy who know their way around every pitfall and backroom, hold the reins of power. Most PStS act as advisors and confidants to their ministers, but a select few wield true authority. The rest must remain politically savvy, choosing their battles and finding areas of focus where they can make their mark, in consultation with their ministers, who, of course, carefully manage their spotlight.
The role of PStS was first introduced in 1967 during the grand coalition, with the stated goal of promoting ministerial succession. Since then, barely 15 out of the approximately 230 PStS have gone on to become ministers. Most former PStS fade into obscurity, turning their limited time in the limelight into a footnote. In the new government, however, there are a few exceptions - Katherina Reiche, Dorothee Bär, Carsten Schneider, and Reem Alabali-Radovan are all former PStS who have since climbed the political ladder.
PStS serve an essential function in the German government, acting as important communication channels between the ministers and the Bundestag. Although they do not hold full cabinet posts, their roles provide significant political exposure and the chance to build a profile leading to future advancement. The intermediary role of PStS gives them the unique ability to shape the political landscape and influence policy decisions from behind the scenes.
(Enrichment Insights: PStS in the German government serve as conduits between the executive branch and the parliament, supporting ministers in legislative affairs and maintaining good relations with parliament to ensure smooth passage of legislation. The role offers political exposure and a platform for advancement within the government hierarchy.)
- The parliamentary state secretaries (PStS) often find themselves attending mundane events alongside their ministers, which require their presence even when the attention is limited and travel times are lengthy.
- Even though becoming a PStS can be an honor, it is not a coveted position, as PStS are not official members of the government and do not hold voting rights.
- In the new government, there are a few exceptions to the rule that former PStS fade into obscurity - Katherina Reiche, Dorothee Bär, Carsten Schneider, and Reem Alabali-Radovan are all former PStS who have since climbed the political ladder.
- Although PStS do not hold full cabinet posts, their roles provide significant political exposure and the chance to build a profile leading to future advancement within the government hierarchy.
