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Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is a conservative German politician who served as Defense Minister before resigning due to plagiarism in his doctoral thesis.

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Franziska Giffey looking into the camera at a press conference

German politicians are dogged by claims of Ph.D. plagiarism

Yet another German politician resigned over allegedly plagiarizing their doctoral thesis. Who catches them, and why?
SocietyMay 25, 2021
CSU premier Horst Seehofer at a Bavarian festival

CSU: Who could replace Bavaria's King Horst?

CSU leader Horst Seehofer may have roared his last. Who's waiting in the wings to replace him?
PoliticsNovember 24, 20178 images
Ursula von der Leyen

Allegations of plagiarism against German minister of defense

An online forum has questioned the authenticity of Ursula von der Leyen's academic dissertation from 1990.
September 27, 2015

Appeal for doctorate title denied

Christian Democrat Annette Schavan's first legal attempt to reclaim her doctorate, stripped amid charges of plagiarism last year, has failed. The Düsseldorf court supported the university's stance, Schavan could appeal.
March 20, 2014
Frank-Walter Steinmeier Photo: Hannibal/dpa

Steinmeier accused of plagiarism

One of the leading members of Germany’s SPD has denied allegations that he plagiarized part of his doctoral thesis. Frank-Walter Steinmeier is just the latest in a series of German politicians to face such accusations.
September 29, 2013
people receive medical treatment at a hospital in Kabul . EPA/STR +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Fatal airstrike

More than three years after the fatal Kunduz airstrike, Afghans take Germany to court.
March 20, 2013
Johanna Wanka Copyright: imago/Metodi Popow

New education minister

Johanna Wanka has been appointed as Germany’s new education minister. She replaces Annette Schavan who stepped down after being stripped of her doctorate for plagiarism.
February 14, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and Education Minister Annette Schavan leave after a statement to the media in Berlin February 9, 2013. Germany's education minister resigned on Saturday after being stripped of her doctorate over plagiarism charges, an embarrassment for her close confidante Chancellor Angela Merkel who is campaigning to win a third term in office this year. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS)

Education minister resigns

Germany's Education Minister Annette Schavan has announced her resignation. The plagiarism scandal is the second in Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet and comes just months ahead of the fall general elections.
February 9, 2013
protester holding sign that says "citation needed"

Case dismissed

Germany's former defense minister dodges plagiarism prosecution with a charitable donation.
November 23, 2011
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

Comeback Karl

Disgraced former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg returns to the political stage.
November 20, 2011
A protester holds a sign that reads 'citation needed'

Plagiarism hunters

A group of online academics is helping to restore the reputation of German doctoral titles.
May 17, 2011
Merkel shares a glance with defense minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg in the Bundestag

Comeback Karl?

Chancellor Merkel says the doors of politics aren't yet closed to Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
March 4, 2011
Chancellor Angela Merkel, looking a little glum

Changing cabinet

Merkel confirms her nominations for defense and interior minister after Guttenberg quits.
March 2, 2011
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

Loss of status

Major problems with the German defense minister's thesis cost him his doctorate in law.
February 23, 2011
Guttenberg

Bye Dr. Guttenberg

Plagiarism accusations have led Germany's defense minister to give up his doctor title.
February 21, 2011
Graduation cap

Dubious docs

Doctorate consultants help managers, lawyers and others pinched for time earn a Ph.D.
February 18, 2011
German defense minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

Guttenberg on a surprise visit to Afghanistan

Defense Minister Guttenberg pays a surprise visit to Afghanistan amid various scandals back home.
February 17, 2011
German Defense Minister, Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg at Aero India in Bangalore, India

Eurofighter fighting strong in bid to win India

German defense minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg visits the Indian air show Aero India.
February 10, 2011
Marine and German flag

'Master of self-defense'

The German press criticizes the actions of Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
January 24, 2011
The Gorch Fock

Setting sail

A naval training ship is returning to port in Germany after the captain was temporarily dismissed.
January 22, 2011
A stack of letters

Soldiers' mail

The German Defense Ministry admits that German soldier's mail has been systematically opened.
January 19, 2011
Angela Merkel talks to a soldier on a bicycle

Merkel in Afghanistan

The German chancellor flies into Afghanistan on a troop visit, her first in over 18 months.
December 18, 2010
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

'PR stunt'

The German defense minister is criticized for an unannounced visit to Afghanistan with his wife.
December 14, 2010
David Petraeus

Afghan allies

US General David Petraeus visits Berlin for talks with Germany's defense minister.
November 23, 2010
German troops

Military cuts

An independent commission of military experts has recommended cuts to German defense spending.
October 27, 2010
A German soldier in Afghanistan with his German flag and ISAF patches clearly visible

Informal meet

EU defense ministers gather in Ghent, with the ISAF mission in Afghanistan top of the agenda.
September 24, 2010
A German Tornado fighter plane

Defense cuts

Budget constraints are giving NATO countries a good reason to rethink military strategies.
September 6, 2010
German Bundeswehr troops

Attracting volunteers

The German defense minister has revealed more ideas on how to restructure the German military.
August 29, 2010
News Magazine Der Spiegel with its cover story "Task Force 373"

Need to know

Germany's opposition say they shouldn't be learning about covert ops in Afghanistan on the Web.
July 27, 2010
Soldiers lay wreaths in the Bendlerblock courtyard

Valkyrie memorial

Defense Minister Guttenberg and historian Fritz Stern were among the speakers at Tuesday's ceremony.
July 20, 2010
A German tank in Afghanistan

Troop cuts?

To rein in spending, Germany might consider reducing the number of its Bundeswehr troops.
June 2, 2010
German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg at the inquiry

Guttenberg admits error

German defense minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg defends his handling of the Kunduz airstrike
April 22, 2010
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg with Budneswehr troops

More firepower

Germany's defense minister has promised extra artillery for troops in northern Afghanistan.
April 14, 2010
German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Kosovo's prime minister Hashim Thaçi

United effort

The German Defense Minister says Kosovo troop withdrawals should be decided by NATO.
March 30, 2010
A German soldier salutes with the German flag in the background

Fast-tracked plans

Six-month conscription for German soldiers could come earlier than expected.
March 17, 2010
German ISAF soldiers in Afghanistan

Afghanistan conference

German ministers are preparing their strategy for Afghanistan before talks in London next week.
January 22, 2010
Social Democrat leader and former foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Afghan airstrike

New reports claim yet another government official knew of civilian deaths earlier than thought.
December 21, 2009
Patches on a German military uniform

Taliban targeted?

Recent reports suggest September's airstrike in Afghanistan targeted the Taliban, not stolen trucks.
December 13, 2009
Franz Josef Jung

Lost report

Under massive public pressure to resign, former defense minister Jung tells his side of the story.
November 26, 2009
Opel logo

New Opel twist

The EU's Commisioner for Industry remains optimistic about Opel despite concerns from Brussels.
October 18, 2009
Four men dressed for construction work sit together on park benches

Economic bounce back

The German economy may not be as bad as predicted, but the job market hasn't faired as well.
October 16, 2009
Barack Obama and Jay Leno on the set of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Pop politics

Eyeing the youth vote, German politicians are venturing into the cutthroat world of late-night TV.
September 25, 2009
Opel logo over the Kanzleramt in Berlin

Berlin disappointed

Berlin regrets GM's failure to decide on the future of its European interests, including Opel.
August 22, 2009
Broken Opel sign in a trash receptacle

Opel revisited

The deal to save beleaguered car maker Opel has divided the already shaky coalition in Berlin.
May 31, 2009
Shopper walking with a Karstadt bag

Cap in hand

Without government aid, the parent of German retailer Karstadt says it faces bankruptcy.
May 25, 2009
Opel sign seen through a windshield partially covered by snow

A Tough Job

Germany's economics minister said he had set up a working group with the US to save GM's Opel.
February 22, 2009
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, right, with Horst Seehofer, left

Rising Star

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg will take over at the German Economy Ministry from Michael Glos.
February 9, 2009
Glos talking to journalists

Looking for Replacement

Germany's economics minister is to quit his post following a weekend of confusion over his future.
February 8, 2009