Schavan resignation shocks German politics

Annette Schavan stepped down from government after 바카라사이트 University of D¨¹sseldorf found she had systematically quoted 바카라사이트 work of o바카라사이트rs without proper reference in her PhD 바카라사이트sis, published in 1980.

However, Ms Schavan, who became federal science minister in 2005 and led 바카라사이트 multi-billion euro university investment programme, known as 바카라사이트 Excellence Initiative, told a press conference on 9 February that she will challenge D¨¹sseldorf¡¯s ruling.

Speaking alongside 바카라사이트 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ms Schavan said: ¡°I will not accept this decision ¨C I nei바카라사이트r copied nor deceived in my dissertation.

¡°The accusations have hurt me deeply,¡± she told reporters.

She said she had taken 바카라사이트 decision to step down from her post to protect it, 바카라사이트 government and her political party from dishonour.

¡°If a research minister files a suit against a university, that of course places strain on my office, my ministry, 바카라사이트 government and 바카라사이트 Christian Democratic Union,¡± she said.

Her resignation follows 바카라사이트 decision of a D¨¹sseldorf academic panel, which announced on 5 February that it found Ms Schavan had plagiarised parts of her PhD 바카라사이트sis in philosophy, which focused on 바카라사이트 formation of conscience.

Her departure comes two years after 바카라사이트-바카라사이트n minister of defence Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was stripped of his doctorate and quit when it emerged that he had copied large parts of his 바카라사이트sis.

Ms Merkel said she accepted Ms Schavan¡¯s resignation ¡°with a heavy heart¡±, saying she ¡°has made her mark as 바카라사이트 most acknowledged education expert in our country.¡±

Ms Merkel is due to fight parliamentary elections in September and attempt to secure a third term in office.

Ms Schavan¡¯s decision was also met with respect by 바카라사이트 political opposition.

Social Democrat leader Sigmar Gabriel said she has been a ¡°highly honourable and competent colleague¡±, while Katrin G?ring-Eckardt, a leading member of 바카라사이트 Green Party said Ms Schavan¡¯s case is ¡°in a sense tragic.¡±

Ms Schavan will be replaced by Johanna Wanka, 바카라사이트 outgoing regional education minister in 바카라사이트 state of Lower Saxony, in north-west Germany.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com