Overview
- The Bavarian State Chancellery has opened an internal compliance review to determine whether public funding for the Ludwig‑Erhard‑Gipfel should continue, after reports that the event marketed paid access to ministers.
- Sales materials cited by Apollo News describe tiered corporate packages of roughly €40,000 to €80,000 offering panel slots, an invitation to an exclusive evening with ministers and a lounge for confidential talks, and promising “influence on political decision‑makers.”
- Weimer remains a 50% owner of the Weimer Media Group but gave up executive duties before taking office; the company says his wife exercises the voting rights and federal spokespeople stress he holds no operational role.
- Political pressure has intensified, with Greens and The Left demanding full transparency and the Bavarian FDP calling for his resignation, while at least one complaint over potential undue benefit has been reported.
- The Weimer Media Group and the Culture Ministry reject the accusations and signal legal action, saying interactions at the conference are at participants’ discretion and that access to ministers is not for sale.