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February 10, 2012
Westerwelle calls criticism of trips 'slander'
Published: 15 Mar 10 08:05 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20100315-25875.html
Germany Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has rejected charges that he used foreign trips to promote the business interests of his partner, family and party donors, calling them "slander" in an interview.
- Westerwelle’s taboo travels - Analysis & Opinion (15 Mar 10)
There have also been eyebrows raised about the presence of the openly gay minister's partner, sporting event manager Michael Mronz, on a recent trip to Asia and one to Latin America last week.
"Such slander from the opposition towards the foreign minister while he is abroad to promote our employment, damages Germany," Westerwelle said in an interview in Bild newspaper late on Sunday.
"It is really the zero level of political culture when the opposition, for their own party interests, attack even the family of their political adversaries," Westerwelle said.
The minister also defended Mronz's presence during the last trip in the report.
"During the trip Michael Mronz visited several social establishments and gave private donations to projects that benefit children. He has not taken part in any political discussions but he went along to help children in the poor areas after the earthquake in Chile or in Brazil," he said.
AFP (news@thelocal.de)
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Your comments about this article:
He has become a waste of good news space on TV, Radio, Print and Online. Enough said.
No, we shouldn't lie, but sometimes the truth shouldn't be revealed or spoken. And a person may see themselves as being something, but yet they must consider how societiy views them as well. If this does'nt happen, then surely there will be problems. People react to you based upon how they understand you.
That said, I see nothing wrong with an elected official taking their spouse along with them on a trip.
Even more than that, I see nothing wrong with a spouse, who has his/ her own business interests to develop, working while they are on a trip with a government official. The only caveat is that the spouse's business travel shouldn't be paid for as a non-business spouse's travel.
I don't think that Westerwelle's spouse had his travel paid for by the German government. If that is the case, then there is no reason why his spouse shouldn't travel with him, and then, on his time (and dime) conduct his own business.
What's the big deal? That somebody might award him business or a deal because he is the spouse of a German minister? That could happen anyway, travel or no travel.