German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier was hospitalized Monday night, according to multiple media reports.
Bild first reported Altmaier was taken by ambulance to receive emergency treatment at Berlin’s Charité hospital, with news agency DPA reporting he was taken to hospital during a dinner meeting of the Bundestag’s economic committee at a Berlin hotel. His condition was not immediately clear, according to the reports, though Bild wrote that participants at the meeting noted that Altmaier had said he was feeling unwell before the gathering and had difficulty finding words.
Green MP Dieter Janecek, who was at the meeting with Altmaier, said in a Facebook post that shortly after he had thanked Altmaier on behalf of his party for working together over the years, the minister had to leave due to health problems.
Janecek also expressed frustration that the news had been leaked so quickly to the press.
“I wish Peter Altmaier a quick and good recovery. Yes, these are tensions-fraught times so close to a game-changing election, but let us please continue to deal with one another in a way where we don’t regret our words after the vote,” Janecek wrote, referring to Germany’s upcoming election.
Christian Lindner, leader of the liberal FDP party, also wished Altmaier well.
“You are a fighter with whom one likes to argue. But when it comes to health, there is no competition,” Lindner tweeted.
Paul Ziemiak, secretary general of Altmaier’s center-right Christian Democratic Union, tweeted late Monday night: “Get well soon, dear @peteraltmaier!”
This story has been updated.
Source: Politico
