Transport Minister Wissing shifts to the Economy Portfolio
Volker Wissing, the former Federal Minister of Transport in Germany's traffic light coalition, is set to assume a new role as the chairman of an advisory board at Christ Capital GmbH. However, his new position may be subject to restrictions due to the Ministerial Law, a tool used to protect public interests by preventing conflicts of interest for former federal government members.
Wissing's tenure as Federal Minister of Transport ended with the formation of the new black-red federal government in May 2022. Prior to this, he served as Secretary General of the FDP from 2020 to 2022. Notably, he temporarily took over the Federal Ministry of Justice from his former party colleague Marco Buschmann.
However, his past involvement in areas relevant to his former position as Federal Minister of Transport could potentially lead to restrictions on his new role at Christ Capital GmbH. The company, which includes the consulting firm "Joschka Fischer & Company," could be affected if Wissing's activities may potentially harm public interests.
The Ministerial Law allows the federal government to prohibit or limit activities for 18 months post-office if public interests are impaired. This 18-month restriction period applies to activities that a former federal government member was active in during their term.
Wissing's new advisory board position is with an old acquaintance from his shared FDP days. The advisory board at Christ Capital GmbH is intended to serve as an advisory body for the entire corporate group.
The appointment of Volker Wissing as chairman of the advisory board at Christ Capital GmbH requires approval from the federal government. If approved, Wissing will be transitioning from politics to business, following his departure from the FDP after the collapse of the coalition of SPD, Greens, and FDP in November 2021.
The potential restrictions on Wissing's new role are due to his previous involvement in areas relevant to his former position as Federal Minister of Transport. The Ministerial Law is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and protect public interests, ensuring a smooth transition from politics to business for former federal government members.
