The new Minister of Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche privately: This connects her with the man at her side

Katherina Reiche just slammed her predecessor, criticizing Robert Habeck's policies in one of her first appearances on Monday evening. This was before the CDU-affiliated Economic Council, which took a swipe at her predecessor. Reiche resolutely announced that the German economy was no longer just a "victim of external circumstances"; it now stands for a "pragmatic economic policy."

Taxes, energy, and high labor costs are putting a strain on Germany as a business location, the former manager continued. Among other things, a "reorientation of the energy transition" is now needed, Reiche said. She added that climate protection may have been overemphasized in recent years, another swipe at the Green Party's Habeck . "We must recognize that electricity from renewable sources alone does not achieve affordable electricity supply, especially for energy-intensive companies," Reiche said.

With Reiche, a new wind is blowing through the Ministry of Economic Affairs. There's no longer a start-up mentality like under her predecessor, who often liked to announce something, but often quickly failed to implement it.

Now the 51-year-old manager is at the helm. After years in the energy industry – most recently as CEO of Westenergie – Reiche has returned to Berlin's political scene with the election of the CDU/CSU and SPD. This has already drawn criticism from lobby groups that fear an overly close connection between business and politics.

Reiche is considered an economic expert with a solid foundation in the CDU

Within the CDU, she is considered an economic expert with a solid foundation and a feel for controversial sociopolitical issues. Her appointment also sends a signal: The CDU/CSU wants to strengthen its business wing, stimulate growth, and, above all, ease the burden on small and medium-sized businesses. Furthermore, the ministry is intended to secure the future of energy, not just from renewable sources. Reiche fulfills all of these requirements with an impressive resume – and a private life that's currently making headlines.

Reiche, born in Luckenwalde in 1973, was initially married to Brandenburg CDU politician Sven Petke. They had three children – two daughters and a son. It became clear early on that she didn't see family and career as mutually exclusive. During her time in the Bundestag, she announced that she would also bring her daughter to the office; her crib stood next to her desk. "If we want a family, we have to live it – including in politics," she said at the time.

Katherina Reiche: Today she is living a new chapter

In terms of content, Reiche represents classic CDU positions, particularly on social issues. She has criticized the civil partnership law and once referred to it as an "attack on marriage and family" – statements for which she was later sharply criticized. Even if her rhetoric sounds more moderate today, her message remains the same: in her view, families with children are the foundation of society. However, she has also been criticized personally in the past. For example, her move from politics to business in 2015 was viewed by some as morally questionable, especially since she moved into business shortly before a law on parental leave regulations was passed. That is now history.

Today she is living a new chapter: She has recently joined a man who was once a rising star of the CDU/CSU - former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg , who also once headed the economics department in the cabinet. First there were fleeting appearances together, then photos from the CHIO equestrian event in Aachen, and finally confirmation from the lawyer: Reiche and zu Guttenberg are a couple. Two political careers, two public life stories. On top of that came the news that zu Guttenberg is now officially divorced. Stephanie zu Guttenberg and her husband separated two years ago, after 23 years of marriage. Now the 53-year-old is free for his new love and forms a patchwork family with Reiche (he also has two children).

Katherina Reiche and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg are not only connected by a personal relationship, but also by a remarkable shared ambition, which is reflected in their parallel careers in politics and business.

Both began their political careers at a young age: Reiche entered the Bundestag in 1998 at the age of 25 as the youngest member of the CDU/CSU, while zu Guttenberg became a member of the Bundestag in 2002. They were each considered the brightest hopes of their parties and quickly rose to leading positions.

After leaving politics, both successfully moved into business: Reiche became CEO of Westenergie, a subsidiary of E.ON, and zu Guttenberg founded the consulting firm Spitzberg Partners in the USA. She, too, knows America well: Reiche studied at Clarkson University (New York State).

Saxony's Prime Minister on the rich: A "stroke of luck"

And now Reiche is back at the cabinet table, albeit with some initial apprehension. Many in the eastern coalition governments were initially dissatisfied with Reiche's choice of the new Chancellor , Friedrich Merz . Although the minister was born in Luckenwalde (Brandenburg), she was not on the nomination lists of the eastern German state coalitions because she moved to North Rhine-Westphalia after her political career.

Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer , however, defended her appointment, even calling it a "stroke of luck" for the eastern states. "She understands the particular challenges facing the east and has repeatedly advocated for these specific concerns in recent years," he said upon announcing her appointment in Berlin.