New Economics Minister Katherina Reiche attacks Habeck!

New Economics Minister Katherina Reiche attacks Habeck!

On May 16, 2025, Katherina Reiche, who was appointed new Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy in the Merz cabinet on May 6, 2025, appeared before the CDU Economic Council at a two-day business day. She used the opportunity not only to present her plans for Germany's economic future, but also to criticize her predecessor Robert Habeck and the traffic light coalition. Katherina Reiche is an experienced politician who was a member of the German Bundestag from 1998 to 2015 and held various responsible positions, including Parliamentary State Secretary in important ministries such as the Federal Environment Ministry and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

In her speech, Reiche addressed the challenges that many see as “homemade”. She announced her intention to pursue a “pragmatic energy policy” and reorient the energy transition. Specific plans include the demand for the construction of up to 20 gigawatts of gas power plant capacity by 2030. She also criticized the regulation known as the “Lex heat pump” and advocated for more technological openness in climate protection. Its goal is to give companies more trust and to promote smart regulatory policy.

Strategic realignment and trade relations

One of Katherina Reiche's central concerns is the promotion of a free trade agreement between the EU and the USA. She would like to use this to resolve the current trade dispute with the United States. Her performance was met with applause, although she clearly recognizes that greater challenges lie ahead. In addition to her economic initiatives, Reiche has already replaced several state secretaries and department heads in order to implement her visions.

Katherina Reiche has an impressive career. The politician, who was born in Luckenwalde in 1973, studied chemistry at several universities, including the University of Potsdam, where she graduated in 1997 with a degree in chemistry. She began her political career in the Junge Union and the CDU, where she was active in various offices, including on the state executive board of the CDU Brandenburg. From 2015 to 2019 she was managing director of the Association of Municipal Companies and has been chairwoman of the management board of innogy Westenergie GmbH since 2020.

Personal commitment and challenges

Katherina Reiche is not only politically active, but is also involved in her community, including in the parents' initiative for the reopening of the St. Mary's Catholic School in Potsdam. She married the CDU politician Sven Petke in 2003 and has three children. Her private life was recently a topic in the media due to a public relationship with Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.

The challenges she faces as minister are numerous, and her strategies will be crucial to Germany's economic recovery. [Merkur] reports that Reiche wants to start where her predecessors failed with her concept for realigning energy policy and a focus on transparency and openness in technology. Her diverse professional background and political experience could help her effectively address the issues at hand. [Wikipedia] shows that Katherina Reiche has a long, committed career in politics and business, which will certainly serve her well in her new role.