Wolfram Weimer's Appointment as Culture Minister Sparks Plagiarism Controversy

The appointment of Wolfram Weimer as Germany’s new Culture Minister has ignited a heated debate over allegations of plagiarism in his published works. Reports indicate that Weimer, a prolific author and conservative commentator, reused texts from other writers without proper attribution, alongside instances of self-plagiarism across his books. The controversy has drawn criticism from cultural organizations and political opponents, with over 60,000 signatures collected in a petition opposing his appointment.

Plagiarism Allegations Surface

Multiple sources, including ZEIT Online and FOCUS, have documented cases where Weimer incorporated passages from figures like Pope Benedict XVI and theologian Wolfgang Huber into his books without clear attribution. Defenders of Weimer describe this practice as “essayistic texturing,” while critics argue it undermines academic integrity. The designee’s 2018 book *Das konservative Manifest* has faced particular scrutiny for its uncredited use of historical arguments and controversial rhetoric about Europe’s “lost colonial expansion power.”

Rainer Zitelmann’s op-ed in FOCUS framed Weimer’s appointment as a strategic move by CDU leader Friedrich Merz to advance conservative cultural policies. Meanwhile, satirical outlets like n-tv have mocked the media’s selective outrage, comparing the reaction to Weimer’s case with the relative silence surrounding similar allegations against other public figures.

Political and Cultural Backlash

The petition against Weimer’s appointment, organized by groups including the ensemble-netzwerk, argues that his polarizing views and lack of direct cultural policy experience make him unfit for the role. Hermann Parzinger of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz has called for policy continuity, while progressive cultural institutions fear ideological interference in funding decisions.

Media coverage remains sharply divided. Publications like *WELT* praise Weimer’s networking skills and potential to reform cultural subsidies, while *Süddeutsche Zeitung* questions his qualifications. FAZ critic Jürgen Kaube has dismissed Weimer’s cultural credentials, particularly his historical revisionism regarding multiculturalism.

Merz’s Conservative Agenda

Analysts suggest Weimer’s selection reflects Merz’s strategy to counter the AfD’s cultural populism with right-leaning policies. This approach has drawn both support from conservatives who view it as necessary to “clean up” subsidized culture and criticism from those who see it as adopting AfD-style rhetoric. The Berliner Staatstheater and other institutions have expressed concerns about potential privatization pressures under Weimer’s leadership.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in German cultural policy between progressive and conservative visions. As Weimer prepares to assume office, the debate over his appointment continues to reveal deeper divisions about the role of government in cultural funding and the standards expected of public officials.