In Cottbus, a title scandal is rocking the city hall. Mayor Tobias Schick is at the center of a public prosecutor’s investigation because he used the title “Diplom-Verwaltungsbetriebswirt” (Diplom in Administrative Business Administration) without clarifying that it is not a university degree. (bild: 15.09.25)
For many citizens, this case demonstrates the extent to which politicians use their titles as instruments of power. At the same time, it makes clear that plagiarism, a false title, or a falsified CV are not mere oversights, but rather suspicions of deception. Providing false information in public office is not a trivial offense, but can be considered fraud.
Titles as Dangerous Political Currency
In Germany, an academic title acts like a ticket to higher office. It conveys expertise, authority, and assertiveness. It gives a head start on election posters, and in everyday political life, it opens doors. This is precisely why politicians often feel pressured to enhance their resumes. However, those seeking an advantage in this way aren’t acting out of naivety, but rather out of a false sense of prestige.
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Annette Schavan are exemplary examples of this development. Both lost their positions because their dissertations were exposed as plagiarism. Guttenberg portrayed himself as a beacon of hope for a long time, but then fell over the extent of his copying. Schavan, who as Minister of Education was supposed to represent the highest standards, also failed. In both cases, the pursuit of prestige was exposed as self-deception – with enormous damage to public trust.
Manipulated Information in CVs
Plagiarism is not always the underlying cause. Inaccurate CVs can also trigger scandals. Annalena Baerbock had to correct her biography several times in 2021 because information about activities and memberships was imprecise. CSU politician Martin Huber decided to no longer use his doctorate in 2022 after doubts about his dissertation persisted. In Thuringia, the university is investigating the work of CDU parliamentary group leader Mario Voigt. The mere possibility of deception is enough to massively damage trust.
A doctored resume may seem harmless at first glance. But deception is also at play here. Anyone who fakes qualifications that don’t exist gains an unlawful advantage in the competition for political power. Such an act thus touches on the core of the concept of fraud.
Scandals at the Local Level
Local politics is not spared either. The Cottbus case demonstrates how quickly trust in a city can be shaken. In Bad Oeynhausen, an AfD candidate is suspected of using a forged doctorate certificate. As early as 2006, a court in Stadtoldendorf convicted an SPD candidate for using a fake doctorate. In Landau/Palatinate, the career of a CDU candidate collapsed in 2007 after deception became public. In Cologne, a city councilor resigned in 2009 because he had used an unlawful title for years.
These cases demonstrate that the misuse of academic symbols is no longer a marginal phenomenon. Especially at the local level, where politicians are in direct contact with citizens, a degree scandal feels like a slap in the face. The fraud here affects not only government agencies, but also one’s own neighborhood.
Trust as the Foundation of Democracy
The consequences are drastic. Petra Hinz lost her Bundestag mandate in 2016 after her entire CV was exposed as fabricated. Guttenberg and Schavan also ended their careers after the plagiarism scandal. Every case shows that trust in politicians depends on the honesty of their statements. A forged title or a manipulated document not only destroys personal credibility but also damages the political system.
Misuse of a title must not be trivialized as a minor transgression. It is deliberate deception, often fraud. Such actions are not only driven by time pressure, but often by a false sense of prestige. Integrity is the most important resource of any democracy. Anyone who squanders this resource loses more than just a title. They lose the trust of the people who elected them.