Thuringia Appoints Ex-Stasi Member as Minister, Prompting Backlash

Mario Voigt defends his decision to appoint Tilo Kummer, a former member of the Stasi's elite unit, as Environmental Minister despite criticism from CDU members and historical concerns.

Tilo Kummer, Thuringia's new Environmental Minister, previously served in the Wachregiment 'Feliks Dzierzynski,' an elite military unit of the East German Stasi.
The decision by CDU Minister-President Mario Voigt has drawn sharp criticism from CDU district leaders, who argue it undermines the party’s core values and credibility.
Voigt stated that Kummer's Stasi affiliation was thoroughly reviewed and emphasized that his appointment was based on professional qualifications rather than past affiliations.
Critics highlight that even previous leftist administrations in Thuringia avoided appointing Kummer to high-ranking government positions due to his Stasi history.
Historians and commentators warn that Kummer's appointment reflects a broader trend of diminishing scrutiny of former Stasi members in public office.