German Ministries Face Scrutiny Over Post-Election Promotions of Senior Officials

Since the collapse of the traffic light coalition, nearly 100 senior civil servants have been promoted, raising concerns about fairness and timing.

Approximately 96 senior civil servants in SPD and Green-led ministries were promoted after the coalition's breakup on November 6, 2024, with critics labeling the practice as 'Operation Abendsonne.'
The Development Ministry, led by SPD's Svenja Schulze, accounted for the highest number of promotions, with 26 officials elevated from pay grade A15 to A16.
The Chancellor's Office under Olaf Scholz also saw 14 promotions, while other ministries, such as those led by Nancy Faeser and Cem Özdemir, reported no promotions during this period.
Opposition groups and critics argue these promotions may reward loyalists ahead of a potential government transition, though the government maintains they follow standard procedures and budget constraints.
The practice of last-minute promotions before elections has been a longstanding issue in German politics, with similar controversies arising in past administrations.