Fresh Diplomatic Shakeup: Hanefeld Takes Over in USA - Kahl Heads to Vatican
U.S. Appointment: Hanefeld to America - Kahl Heads to The Vatican - U.S. Ambassador assignment for Hanefeld, Vatican assignment for Kahl
Get ready for a diplomatic switcheroo! The seasoned German diplomat, Jens Hanefeld (60), is set to take over as the new German ambassador to the United States. Hanefeld will be replacing Andreas Michaelis, who's calling it a career, according to intel from the German Press Agency. This move is part of Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's (CDU) strategic plan for a synchronous reshuffle of the Foreign Service taking place this summer.
Details about Hanefeld's upcoming assignment in Washington D.C. have been swirling for a while now. Back in the late '90s and mid-2000s, Hanefeld served two stints at the German embassy in Washington as a counselor and deputy ambassador. Between 2014 and 2024, he took a sabbatical from Volkswagen AG and oversaw international, European politics, and trade policy departments, a background that should come in handy when navigating the ongoing automobile tariff spat with the USA. The "Spiegel" already hinted at the personnel change on Thursday.
The diplomatic lineup is expected to be approved by the cabinet this Wednesday, bringing experienced diplomats to central positions to continue representing German interests effectively.
Speaking of returns, Thomas Ossowski, the EU ambassador in Turkey, is coming back to lead the Permanent Representation of Germany to the European Union (EU) in Brussels. Before his time in Turkey, Ossowski garnered a considerable reputation as a high-ranking German diplomat active in Brussels.
The security policy expert, Detlef Wächter, is poised to become the new NATO ambassador, thanks to his extensive background in security policy affairs. From 2005 to 2007, he worked at the Permanent Representation to NATO in Brussels, and from 2007 to 2010, he headed the division for security policy in the Federal Chancellery, managing liaisons with the USA, Canada, Western Europe, and Turkey. After stints in Washington and as head of the North America division, he assumed responsibility for NATO states in the Chancellery from 2015 to 2017. More recently, he served in the Ministry of Defense in Berlin.
Ricklef Beutin, currently head of the AA central department, will become the new permanent representative of Germany to the United Nations (UN) in New York. Beutin's mission there will center on campaigning for Germany's candidacy for the non-permanent seat on the Security Council in 2027/28. Antje Leendertse, who's currently stationed in New York, will pick up the baton as permanent representative to the UN in Geneva instead.
The process of filling these ambassadorial posts is typically a multi-stage affair. Once the planning phase has concluded and the necessary approvals have been granted, the Federal President issues a letter of credence for the appointee, which must be presented to the host country's leader during their tenure. In the interests of diplomatic etiquette, it is customary to inform the host country of the planned change in ambassadors and receive their consent beforehand, so as not to pre-empt the host country's decision.
- USA
- Washington
- Bruno Kahl
- AA
- Ethiopia
- Vatican
- Diplomacy
- Johann Wadephul
- Brussels
- Rome
- EU
- Berlin
- Turkey
- NATO
- German Press Agency
- Andreas Michaelis
- Retirement
- CDU
- BND
- Jens Hanefeld, the incoming German ambassador to the United States, brings a wealth of experience in international and European politics, making him well-equipped to navigate the ongoing automobile tariff spat with the USA, a matter of policy-and-legislation and general news.
- In a bid to maintain German interests effectively, the upcoming diplomatic lineup expects approval by the cabinet this Wednesday, with Thomas Ossowski returning to lead the Permanent Representation of Germany to the European Union (EU) in Brussels, a move that underscores the importance of EU affairs in politics.
