Robert Habeck

Internal documents reignited debate in 2024 over the decision to phase out nuclear power during the energy crisis: ministry officials had considered a limited extension, while allegations claimed that supporting arguments had been filtered out. The Bundestag established an inquiry committee and heard Habeck in January 2025.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Habeck filed a complaint after a manipulated image calling him a 'Schwachkopf' circulated on X. A search of the poster's home triggered national debate about the proportionality of criminal protection for politicians.

State of the evidence

Documented

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Habeck and the North Rhine-Westphalia government reached an agreement with RWE bringing the coal phase-out forward to 2030 but allowing mining beneath Lützerath. Environmentalists and climate activists condemned what they regarded as a fossil-fuel compromise and negotiations too close to RWE, followed by a highly publicised eviction.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

The Gebäudeenergiegesetz reform championed by Habeck became one of the major political conflicts of 2023, with criticism concerning costs, timing and preparation. In July, the Bundesverfassungsgericht provisionally prevented the urgently requested final vote because of an MP's participation rights and time for scrutiny, before an amended version was passed in September.

State of the evidence

Documented

State Secretary Patrick Graichen had participated in a committee which selected Michael Schäfer, his wedding witness, as the future head of dena. Habeck initially retained Graichen while describing his participation as a mistake, then placed him in temporary retirement after further compliance and funding problems emerged.

State of the evidence

Documented

Against the backdrop of reducing dependence on Russian gas, Habeck travelled to Qatar to develop LNG supplies. The image of a Green minister negotiating with an authoritarian regime, and a photograph interpreted as a bow, triggered controversy over the consistency of values-based policy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

The gas levy designed to stabilise struggling importers was criticised for its complexity, its effects on households and the fact that not all potentially benefiting companies faced insolvency. Following Uniper's nationalisation, its rationale became even more contested, and the government ultimately abandoned the measure.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Asked on Maischberger about a wave of insolvencies linked to the energy crisis, Habeck explained that some businesses might temporarily stop producing or selling without automatically becoming insolvent. The wording prompted ridicule, economic criticism and demands for an explanation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Habeck faced strong criticism after two campaign videos: before the Bavarian election, he had spoken of democracy returning following the end of the CSU's absolute majority, then in January 2019 said the Greens wanted to make Thuringia a democratic state, giving the impression it was not already one. He acknowledged a repeated mistake and announced the deletion of his Twitter and Facebook accounts.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings