Sayonara Ping-Pong for Ex-Health Minister Karl Lauterbach at the Old Ministry
Karl Lauterbach barred from playing table tennis - Table tennis ban imposed on Karl Lauterbach
Hey there! Let's chat about Karl Lauterbach, the ex-Health Minister of Germany (62), no longer being able to enjoy his table tennis games in the basement of his former ministry. His successor, Nina Warken (46, CDU), has pulled the plug on the special authorization - and trust us, Lauterbach ain't too pleased about it.
The table tennis table? It was a sweet present from his pals at the Federal Ministry of Health for his big 6-0. Lauterbach, a ping-pong enthusiast, set up the game in the ministry's Berlin-Mitte basement and honed his skills there regularly, even hosting journalists between those ferocious rallies. But, after the February 2025 federal election, the CDU snatched the ministry's reins. Lauterbach waved goodbye to his post, and Nina Warken took charge. Despite the shake-up, Lauterbach managed to keep his ping-pong privileges - until now.
Lauterbach spoke to "Bild" and confirmed he lost that privilege, "with no rhyme or reason" from Warken. He still can't believe it, "I would have enjoyed continuing to play there." Typically, he'd train late and never trailed off, err, took the room away from anyone[1]. Even the BKA, still guarding Lauterbach, was all good with the situation[1].
The Table Table's Still Got Game in the Ministry
Lauterbach's former doubles partner until the last spin was ex-U50 champion Nico Popal. With the news of a new playground, they're in search of a new turf[1]. Still, the table tennis table itself remains unbeaten in the ministry - Lauterbach leaves it for the house on Mauerstraße with a smile[1]. A request from "Bild" to the current Federal Ministry of Health went unanswered. Is Warken personally anti-basement rallies, or is it merely bureaucracy? Who knows[1]?
Post-Health Minister days, Karl Lauterbach is back as a regular member of the Bundestag. It was also disclosed last week that he'll join a commission of the World Health Organization (WHO)[1].
[1] - Enrichment Data for potential additional context
Despite Karl Lauterbach's new commission with the World Health Organization, he misses the daily table tennis games in the Berlin-Mitte basement of the former Ministry of Health. Interestingly, the Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens.
