Overview
- Marcus Optendrenk’s written reply to an FDP query states Kürsat “Chico” Yildirim received no fee, had no contract and was not in any advertising partnership with the state.
- The government says the invitation sought to reach digitally engaged audiences that are hard to access through traditional channels.
- The event at Borussia Dortmund’s stadium welcomed about 1,600 new finance recruits, with total attendance provisioned at roughly 6,000, and cost around €177,000 gross.
- Photos from the gathering showed Yildirim with Minister-President Hendrik Wüst, drawing criticism from FDP’s Ralf Witzel, who argued the state should choose role models without criminal records.
- Witzel questioned the no-payment claim after influencer videos were labeled as a paid partnership and requested clarification, while Optendrenk rejected framing Yildirim as a brand ambassador.