In 2011, a plagiarism scandal brought down the then Minister of Defense Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. This time is still nagging at him, he tells the “Stern”. He rules out a return to politics – instead he is pursuing new career paths.
The former Economics and Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has finished politics. “According to my feelings, I have no place in politics anymore. No, I’m not going back to politics,” said the former CSU MP to the “Stern”. This decision had been fixed since March 2011. At that time, after the plagiarism affair surrounding his doctoral thesis, he gave up his post as Minister of Defense and all political offices.
In an interview with “Stern”, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg also reflected on the plagiarism affair that cost him the post of defense minister in March 2011: “I can and must be accused of my stupid immediate reaction as well as copying my doctoral thesis,” said to Guttenberg. “I deeply regretted and was incredibly ashamed of what I did there. And this shame will accompany me until the end of my life.”
Nevertheless, eleven years later, he will not throw himself in the dust in front of those who do not want to forgive. “I already said in 2017: Now it’s good. And now it’s 2022.” Incidentally, in contrast to many other protagonists of political or human failure, he drew absolutely all the consequences within two weeks.
Regarding the plagiarism scandals by Annalena Baerbock and Franziska Giffey, zu Guttenberg said: “I felt sorry for them both because I know what shit you’re going through. Everyone makes their own decisions about how to deal with it.” He doesn’t want to judge that himself. “Ms Giffey says she wants to stay in politics – and that has apparently been accepted by voters and others alike. Then it’s not my place to criticize that,” said the former minister.
As Minister of Defense, zu Guttenberg initiated the end of conscription in 2011 with a reform of the Bundeswehr. “If I had had 100 billion at the time, I might have made a different decision,” zu Guttenberg said. However, a reinstatement of conscription must be subject to conditions. “With all sympathy for conscription, it would have to be designed differently today. The 100 billion would not be enough for a long-term stable reinstatement.”
When asked about his tense relationship with Prime Minister Markus Söder, whom he once certified that he was not yet of the stature of Franz Josef Strauss or Theo Waigel, zu Guttenberg said: “I think that he – also with the help of a first-class administration – is taking on his responsibility for does justice to the Free State of Bavaria.” When asked if that wasn’t poisonous praise, zu Guttenberg said: “No, I just don’t feel like going to bed.”
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg returns to German television screens in November as a journalist and presenter. At the RTL annual review, he will lead through the program alongside Thomas Gottschalk. The streaming platform RTL shows the documentary series “On the Trails of Power”.
