1. Overview of the resignation
Josefine Paul, the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) refugee minister from the Green Party, announced her resignation on 27 January 2026. The step followed intense criticism over her handling of the Islamist-motivated Solingen attack in August 2024, in which three people lost their lives. Her resignation centers on concerns about communication, decision-making around deportation and public trust after an SMS leak intensified scrutiny.
The announcement marks the first cabinet change in the NRW state government ahead of the 2027 state election. The Greens proposed Verena Schäffer, the party’s parliamentary group leader in the state legislature, as Paul’s successor. Paul had served as refugee minister since 2022 in the black-green coalition.
2. Timeline and the SMS leak
Key moments in the case include the August 2024 Solingen attack and the subsequent investigations into both the attacker and the government’s response. The attacker was later sentenced to life imprisonment and was described as subject to an obligation to leave the country, but efforts to carry out deportation failed.
2.1 The minister’s whereabouts and initial criticism
Opposition parties accused Paul of being unreachable in the critical days following the attack. According to critics, she was on an official trip to France two days after the attack and did not answer calls from the state interior minister, fueling questions about the speed and transparency of the government’s crisis response.
2.2 The SMS leak that escalated the crisis
A recently surfaced SMS message, timestamped Saturday at 21:14, showed Paul inquiring about a search in a refugee accommodation after a police operation. That message had not been provided to the parliamentary inquiry committee until it emerged in the leak. The withheld message prompted renewed criticism about slow or incomplete communication with investigatory bodies.
- The SMS contained questions about a search in a refugee facility following the Solingen attack.
- The message was not previously disclosed to the investigation committee, raising concerns about transparency.
- The leak led to political pressure and an ultimatum to the state premier to act by 30 January.
3. Political reaction and main criticisms
The resignation followed a wave of criticism from opposition parties, primarily the SPD and FDP, which argued Paul had withdrawn from public view at a critical time. Lawmakers and commentators highlighted both procedural and political shortcomings surrounding the tragedy, including questions about deportation processes and crisis communications.
3.1 Criticism of migration and deportation handling
Authorities noted that the attacker was subject to an obligation to leave the country, but attempts to deport him failed. This fact amplified public debate about migration policy, legal hurdles to deportation and the effectiveness of oversight in handling cases of people considered a threat.
3.2 Domestic policy criticism: Kita reform
In addition to the handling of the Solingen attack, Paul faced criticism over her daycare (Kita) reform under the KiBiz law, which introduced core and fringe hours. The reform was rejected by key stakeholders such as the regional daycare alliance and the teachers’ union, further eroding support for her leadership.
4. Succession and immediate political consequences
Verena Schäffer, the Greens’ parliamentary group leader in the state parliament, has been named as the likely successor. The change triggers the first cabinet reshuffle in the current governing coalition and could influence how the coalition handles security, migration and education issues in the lead-up to the 2027 state election.
The resignation and the reasons behind it — delayed communication, the withheld SMS and the failed deportation — are likely to be central points in parliamentary inquiries and in public debate. Political leaders must respond to demands for greater transparency and improved crisis management.
5. Broader implications and what to watch next
This episode highlights several broader issues: the need for clear communication from public officials during emergencies, the challenges in enforcing deportation orders, and the political impact of administrative decisions on public trust. It also underscores how leaks and withheld information can accelerate political consequences.
5.1 Issues to follow
- Findings of the parliamentary investigation into the Solingen attack and the administration’s response.
- Any legal or administrative review of how the withheld SMS came to light and why it was not shared earlier with investigators.
- Policy adjustments regarding deportation procedures and crisis communication in NRW.
- The effect of the resignation on the Green Party’s standing in the coalition and ahead of the 2027 election.
Citizens and stakeholders will be watching how the new minister handles these sensitive policy areas and whether the government can restore confidence in public safety, refugee policy and childcare reform. Transparent processes and accountable leadership will be key to rebuilding trust after this controversy.
