In a letter to her staff, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) announces the replacement of key positions in her ministry. Her “targeted personnel changes” affect the head of the CI department, Andreas Könen, and the head of the DG department, Pia Karger. Friederike Dahns, the previous head of the DV II sub-division, will take over for Könen. Karger will be replaced by the current Head of Department Z, Martin von Simson, from 1 April 2023.
Eva-Lotta Gutjahr will in turn take over the role of Head of Department Z from 1 April 2024. Faeser is also endeavouring to appoint Gabriele Nieradzik, former Head of Division at the Federal Ministry of Justice and former President of the Berlin Regional Court, as Head of Division V at the earliest possible date. The reason for the personnel shake-up was that Faeser wanted to arm herself more strongly against the current threats and challenges and develop further. The dismissed IT expert Könen was extensively involved in the review processes surrounding 5G and Huawei. According to the letter, his successor is an “experienced security expert, particularly in the field of counter-espionage”. The personnel decision therefore reflects the previously stated aim of sharpening the company’s own profile in the face of threats from Russian aggression and extremism.