Legislative body - Weil employee's wage hike was legal.
The State Chancellery continues to maintain that the salary increase for a close aide to Minister President Stephan Weil was justified. A department head from the State Chancellery commented on the matter during a committee meeting in the state parliament on Thursday, stating that there were no legal issues.
Carina Hermann, the parliamentary secretary of the CDU parliamentary group, found the questioning to be revealing, revealing that the head of the State Chancellery's powers extend further than expected. The CDU is demanding the dismissal of State Chancellor Jörg Mielke. Previously, Mielke and Finance Minister Gerald Heer (Greens) were also questioned in committee.
The committee's focus is on determining whether the pay increase for the Weil aide was allowed. The opposition CDU refers to it as a "salary scandal" because the long-standing administrative rules were modified specifically for one individual. The State Chancellery has refuted claims that the higher payment was illegitimate multiple times.
The rise in the top Weil aide's salary amounted to €1,886 gross per month, or approximately €22,600 per year. The aide, who has been working in the State Chancellery since February 2023, remains in her role and continues to receive the increased salary.
The State Prosecutor's Office in Hannover is currently investigating for the suspicion of embezzlement in relation to the greater payment received by the important Weil aide. An investigation against unnamed individuals has been initiated.
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The investigation committee in the state parliament is specifically looking into the 'salary increase' for a close aide to Minister President Stephan Weil in 'Lower Saxony's' Administration. The CDU parliamentary group, led by Carina Hermann, believes the incident highlights 'extended powers' of the State Chancellery's head, Jörg Mielke, and is pressing for his dismissal. Despite the CDU labeling it a 'salary scandal', the State Chancellery insists it was a lawful adjustment. The 'higher payment' received by the aide, approximately €22,600 a year, has not led to her resignation or dismissal. Separately, the State Prosecutor's Office in Hannover is conducting an investigation for 'suspicion of embezzlement' in connection to the 'unusual salary' of the influential Weil aide.
