Merkel under pressure over spy chief promotion row

ANGELA MERKEL’S government is to reconsider a controversial promotion for Germany’s outspoken domestic intelligence chief, further threatening the unity of the chancellor’s coalition.

Hans-georg Maassen was removed as head of the BFV intelligence service this week amid concerns he was interfering in politics after he publicly contradicted the chancellor over far-right protests in the city of Chemnitz.

Mr Maassen’s fate has already divided Mrs Merkel’s coalition partners. The centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) demanded his dismissal while Horst Seehofer, the interior minister and leader of the Bavarian Christian Social Union, backed the intelligence chief. Under a compromise deal, Mr Maassen

was due to move to a more senior position at the interior ministry. But the SPD demanded a rethink yesterday amid growing public opposition.

Mrs Merkel and Mr Seehofer both indicated they were ready to reconsider the appointment. “The chancellor thinks it’s right and appropriate to reevaluate the issues and to find a mutually sustainable solution,” a spokesman for Mrs Merkel said.

“I think renewed discussions make sense if a common solution is possible, which is what we’re now considering,” Mr Seehofer said. There is anger in the SPD at the relationship between the intelligence chief and the nationalist Alternative for Germany party (AFD) – he held several meetings with AFD leaders, and denied allegations he passed them confidential information.