1. Overview
On 27 January 2026 the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) refugee minister Josefine Paul (Greens) announced her resignation. The move came after intense criticism of her handling of the Islamist-motivated terror attack in Solingen in August 2024, where three people lost their lives. The controversy intensified when a previously unknown SMS from the minister surfaced and questions about transparency, communication and deportation procedures became central to political debate.
Key facts at a glance
- Date of resignation: 27 January 2026
- Minister: Josefine Paul (Greens), in office since 2022
- Event at center: Solingen terror attack, August 2024 — three victims killed; attacker later sentenced to life imprisonment
- Controversy: failed deportation of the attacker and criticism of ministerial handling
- New evidence: an SMS sent from France on Saturday evening (21:14) asking about a search in a refugee shelter
- Political pressure: SPD and FDP demanded full official communication from Minister President Hendrik Wüst by 30 January
- Successor expected: Verena Schäffer, chair of the Greens’ parliamentary group
- Additional pressure: planned Kita reform (KiBiz) faced strong criticism
2. Timeline and the missing communication
The sequence of events is important to understand why the minister’s actions were so heavily questioned. The Solingen attack in August 2024 set off a long political and legal process. Over time, criticism focused not only on the failed deportation that allowed the attacker to remain in Germany, but also on how the minister’s office communicated with other officials and with the public.
- August 2024: Islamist-motivated terror attack in Solingen — three people killed.
- After the attack: investigation finds attacker was obliged to leave the country; efforts to deport failed.
- Attacker later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- 21 January (Saturday), 21:14: A previously unknown SMS from Josefine Paul, sent from France, asked about details of a search in a refugee accommodation. This message had not been shown to the parliamentary inquiry committee.
- Opposition (SPD and FDP) accused the minister of being unavailable for two days and not responding to Interior Minister Herbert Reul; they demanded full disclosure of official communication.
- SPD and FDP set an ultimatum for Minister President Hendrik Wüst to present all official communications by 30 January.
- 27 January 2026: Josefine Paul resigns, saying calm must return to the situation.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2024 | Solingen terror attack: three people killed; attacker later identified as removable from Germany |
| Post-attack | Attempts to deport the attacker fail; legal and political scrutiny begins |
| 21 Jan (Sat), 21:14 | Unknown SMS from minister — sent from France asking about a search in a refugee shelter; not handed over to inquiry |
| Late Jan 2026 | SPD and FDP demand full ministry communication; ultimatum set for 30 January |
| 27 Jan 2026 | Minister Josefine Paul resigns |
3. Political fallout and reasons for resignation
The resignation reflects a mix of political and practical pressures. Critics accused the minister of slow and insufficient communication, of failing to be transparent with the parliamentary inquiry into the Solingen attack, and of not reacting quickly enough while on an official trip to France. The discovery of the unreported SMS aggravated these accusations and undermined trust in her leadership.
Pressure from opposition and coalition partners
SPD and FDP in particular led the calls for answers. They argued that the minister had been effectively absent in the days following the renewed public focus on the case and demanded all official communications. The ultimatum put additional pressure on Minister President Hendrik Wüst and highlighted tensions within the governing coalition (black-green). The situation risked creating a public impression of evasiveness at a time when transparency was expected.
Other contributing factor: the Kita reform (KiBiz)
At the same time, Josefine Paul faced domestic policy pressure over a proposed Kita reform (KiBiz) that would change how core and fringe hours are organized. The reform was strongly criticized by the Kita-Bündnis NRW and GEW NRW, who demanded a fundamental reworking. That debate added to the political strain on the minister and made her position more vulnerable.
4. Immediate consequences and what comes next
Josefine Paul said she stepped down to allow calm to return. Her expected successor is Verena Schäffer, the Greens’ parliamentary leader. The personnel change is the first major cabinet reshuffle ahead of the 2027 state election and aims to stabilize the government before the campaign season begins.
- Ministerial handover: Verena Schäffer is expected to take over refugee and integration responsibilities.
- Parliamentary inquiry: the investigation into the handling of the Solingen case and missing communications will continue.
- Political scrutiny: SPD and FDP will keep pressure on the government for full transparency.
- Policy review: failed deportation procedures and oversight of asylum cases are likely to be re-examined.
- Public trust: the government must work to restore confidence on security and refugee policy.
Longer-term implications
In the longer term, this episode may shape debates on integration, deportation policy and ministerial accountability in NRW. It could influence the political landscape ahead of the 2027 state election by shifting attention to law-and-order topics, transparency in government and the substance of reforms such as KiBiz.
5. What this means for victims, refugees and policy
Above all, the victims of the Solingen attack and their families deserve clear answers and a transparent investigation. Political changes do not replace the need for careful, victim-centered work and solid public safety measures.
- For victims: ongoing support and a full, transparent inquiry into events and decisions are essential.
- For refugees and asylum policy: renewed scrutiny of deportation procedures and case oversight can be expected.
- For public trust: clearer rules on ministerial communication and faster transparency in crises are likely outcomes.
- For education and family policy: the contested KiBiz reform may be slowed or revised to address criticism from childcare organizations and unions.
Josefine Paul said her resignation was meant to help restore calm. The coming weeks will show whether the government can deliver the transparency and policy improvements many are calling for while also addressing the concerns of victims, families and those working in the refugee and childcare systems.
