Complaint about missing conversations
Pistorius’ restructuring plans anger the ministry
February 3, 2024, 9:03 a.m
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Defense Minister Pistorius not only wants to get the Bundeswehr on track in terms of foreign policy, he also wants to put things in order in his house. Many employees don’t like his planned reform.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is encountering considerable internal resistance with plans to restructure his ministry. According to information from “Spiegel”, the General Staff Council (GPR) of the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg) firmly rejects the reforms developed by Pistorius and his closest circle of employees.
“It is important for us to inform you and the employees that the GPR does not support the decisions to reorganize the ministry,” says a letter from the employee representatives dated January 30th; it is available to the “Spiegel”. “In addition, we are also noticing considerable unrest and dissatisfaction among the members of the BMVg,” writes the chairman of the staff council, Michael Richter.
He complains that the staff council’s objections were ignored and there was no opportunity for a personal exchange with Pistorius. The minister informed the civil servants and military officers in his house in a letter on Monday about details of the restructuring of the ministry. Around 300 positions from the ministry are to be relocated to the so-called subordinate area, i.e. to various sub-authorities within the department. From now on there should be a maximum of three subdivisions per department. The reorganization takes effect from February 1st; It was planned for January 1st.
Pistorius sharply rejects the staff council’s accusations. In a letter dated January 31, the minister replied: He wanted to “make it clear once again that, in my view, changes are necessary to improve the functioning of the House and that these changes must also quickly lead to the establishment of a new organization.” According to his descriptions, the staff council was “continuously” informed about the plans. “It is not an option” to further postpone the changes, emphasizes the minister and announces a quick date for a personal conversation.