Overview

• The Potsdam cabinet adopted an advisory committee’s recommendation to block Steinbach’s consulting for CMS through December 10, 2026 under the two-year cooling-off rule.
• Concerns center on CMS having advised Brandenburg on the Tesla site in Grünheide and reportedly later working for Tesla, while Steinbach led key talks as economics minister.
• Steinbach had notified the state about the consultancy and initially faced no objection provided he avoided Brandenburg-related tasks, before a re-examination triggered a halt.
• He says his work for CMS stays clear of Brandenburg matters, denies seeking any expansion of the role, and will review the decision with his lawyer for possible legal steps.
• Watchdog group Lobby Control had labeled the move to CMS problematic, highlighting the risk of perceived conflicts of interest.