Jochen Flasbarth: „Endgegner der Union“: Wie ein versierter Beamter die CDU in die Verzweiflung treibt

Jochen Flasbarth, a seasoned bureaucrat, has been causing turmoil within the CDU. On June 17, 2026, he did not have to appear in person as several industry associations wrote a scathing letter to the top officials of the federal government. Their concern was that a European regulation on methane emissions could overwhelm businesses.

The CDU-led Ministry of Economics pushed for a crisis meeting. Finance State Secretary Frank Wetzel personally attended. Environmental State Secretary Flasbarth chose not to attend. The ministry sent an underdepartmental official. This made it clear that the relief sought by the economic branch for affected businesses would not be granted.

An underdepartmental official has little to say in such gatherings. These maneuvers have often left Union representatives exasperated with Flasbarth, who is seen as a central figure in the Environment Ministry. The experienced State Secretary, unlike Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD), who took office in May 2025 without environmental expertise, Flasbarth is a central figure in the Ministry of Environment.

As a State Secretary, he leads the Ministry operationally, knows the documents, structures, and networks. With nearly nine years in this position, and four years as a State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Flasbarth has a wealth of experience in environmental issues. Known as a "climate veteran," he was once the president of the former German Bird Protection Society, which later became the German Nature Conservation Union.

Flasbarth's expertise in environmental matters sets him apart, earning him the title of "Klima-Veteran" by "taz."