Institutions of higher learning - Scholz does not desire the TU President on his Future Council anymore.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) of Germany has severed ties with the President of Technical University of Berlin, Geraldine Rauch, by expelling her from his advisory panel called the Future Council. Scholz's spokeswoman, Christiane Hoffmann, brought this news to the attention of journalists in Berlin, stating that Rauch would no longer be a member of the body in the future.
Accusations of anti-Semitism against Rauch will prevent her from being reappointed when the committee's term expires. Hoffmann noted that Scholz views the allegations against Rauch as serious and that they remain unresolved. Rauch has been silent about her plans to continue serving as the president of TU Berlin.
Rauch is under fire for liking at least one anti-Semitic post on the platform X.
Berlin's CDU faction leader, Dirk Stettner, believes it is only right that Rauch resigns as the president of the Technical University of Berlin. He made this assertion on RBB Inforadio, stating, "If a politician draws swastikas and look at what happened to drunk teenagers on Sylt who were shouting racist slogans, everything is right. The same standard should also be applied to a university president." Stettner expressed his expectations that the university authorities would conduct a thorough examination of this matter and carefully contemplate whether Rauch should retain her position. He shared his belief that Rauch's withdrawal would be a decent option.
Stettner justifies the harsh reaction to Rauch from the CDU faction in Berlin. "Public speakers should expect public responses," he stated. "Anti-Semitism is not protected by university autonomy. It's about someone who has publicly expressed anti-Semitic views and is unwilling to face the consequences. She's doing everything in her power to hold onto her office, but decency would have prompted her to resign long ago."
Stettner is critical of Rauch for her unwillingness to step down.
Stettner justifies the harsh reaction to Rauch from the CDU faction in Berlin. "Public speakers should expect public responses," he stated. "Anti-Semitism is not protected by university autonomy. It's about someone who has publicly expressed anti-Semitic views and is unwilling to face the consequences. She's doing everything in her power to hold onto her office, but decency would have prompted her to resign long ago."
Rauch had declared her intention to remain in office despite the fact that a majority of the academic senate at the university had previously favored her resignation. The supervisory board of the TU, known as the Kuratorium, will hold a special meeting on Monday.
The Central Council of Jews has criticized Rauch's actions. "Professor Rauch could have prevented further damage to the TU Berlin, but she did not take advantage of this opportunity," a spokesperson remarked. "Professor Rauch has demonstrated, through her liking of several anti-Semitic postings and her subsequent behavior, that she lacks the necessary understanding and sensitivity to recognize the severity of the situation. She should have taken appropriate action. Instead, she's wasting time and trying to clear her misconduct legally, while Jewish students and professors feel reluctant to attend universities."
Read also:
- Despite the ongoing controversy, Geraldine Rauch has expressed her intent to remain as the President of TU Berlin until her term expires.
- The SPD and CDU, two major parties in Germany's House of Representatives, have both been involved in the discussion surrounding Rauch's anti-Semitic allegations.
- The issues surrounding Rauch's actions have prompted calls for universities to be more vigilant in addressing matters of anti-Semitism, which is not protected by university autonomy.
- In a bid to address the allegations, the supervisory board of TU Berlin, known as the Kuratorium, will hold a special meeting on Monday.
- Geraldine Rauch's case has sparked fierce criticism from anti-discrimination groups in Germany, with the Central Council of Jews expressing their disappointment in her handling of the situation.
- Rauch's actions have led to discussions about the role of parties like CDU in holding public figures accountable for their actions and words, especially in matters of anti-Semitism.
- Many German universities have outlined their commitment to combating anti-Semitism and promoting diversity, with some institutions even offering courses on preventing and addressing such incidents.
