Overview
- FDP deputy leader Ralf Witzel submitted a parliamentary inquiry challenging the suitability of Kürsat Yildirim, known as Chico, as a promotional figure for civil service recruitment.
- NRW’s finance ministry defends the September 9 onboarding event at Borussia Dortmund’s stadium as a modern outreach effort to reach young people via social media.
- The ministry confirms Yildirim was invited as a local influencer, was not paid for attending, and that further joint activities are not planned.
- About 1,600 new finance recruits attended the event, which featured Minister President Hendrik Wüst, Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk, and BVB executives Hans-Joachim Watzke and Lars Ricken.
- Yildirim acknowledges past crimes and drug addiction, expresses remorse, highlights charitable donations and his company’s employment initiatives, and previous political frictions over his public role are recalled.