The right-hand man of Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, State Secretary Patrick Graichen, is expected to step down following allegations of cronyism during the appointment process for the state-owned energy think-tank Dena.

Graichen, formerly the Berlin-based think-tank Agora Energiewende chief, was appointed state secretary when the new German government formed in 2021. He quickly became renowned for handling the energy crisis and his role in engineering Germany’s energy transition.

A failure to disclose his close personal relationship with designated government think-tank chief Michael Schäfer, once his best man, has seemingly become his stumbling block.

Media reports suggest that irregularities in other tenders may have been the final blow.

Habeck is expected to announce Graichen’s resignation within the day.

While searching for a new head for Dena, Graichen allegedly failed to disclose his close personal relationship with Schäfer, putting him forward as the best-suited candidate for the role.

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