When Germany’s Friedrich Merz announced his prospective cabinet on April 28, one appointment caught many by surprise: the designation of Katherina Reiche as the minister for economic affairs. Adding to the intrigue, it was revealed on the same day that Reiche is in a relationship with former Economic Minister and Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.

Guttenberg and Reiche have known each other since their time in politics in the 2000s. Guttenberg, a member of the Christian Social Union (csu), left politics in 2011. Reiche, member of the sister party the Christian Democratic Union (cdu), continued her political career until 2015. Since then, both have successfully transitioned into the business world.

Before Reiche’s political comeback was made official, Berliner Zeitung cited cdu-csu circles calling the two a “politically aspiring dream couple.” After the rumors were confirmed, media attention mounted. As Bavaria’s merkur.de wrote:

When Friedrich Merz announced the cdu ministers for his future cabinet on Monday, some of the appointments came as a great surprise. Among other things, because Katherina Reiche was to take over from Robert Habeck and become the new minister for economic affairs. Even before the announcement, there were increasing reports that Reiche would be appointed to the post. Her appointment was therefore no longer as big a sensation as what came to light shortly afterwards about her private life.

On Monday afternoon, it was confirmed that Reiche and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg are a couple. …

Berlin thus has a new political dream couple. Zu Guttenberg is very familiar with government tasks such as those Reiche is now taking on. He himself was already in Angela Merkel’s cabinet as economics and defense minister. Now his girlfriend Reiche is to become the new economics minister.

With the announcement of their relationship and the announcement of Katherina Reiche’s new important role, the two are likely to attract a wave of media attention. It is possible that they will become the new glamorous couple of German politics. A role with which Guttenberg is already very familiar.

“‘Power couple’ would probably be an understatement for these two,” Brisant wrote in “The New Political Dream Couple? Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Katherina Reiche Are Together” (April 30).

Given Guttenberg’s experience in the Economics Ministry, his connections and his post political career, he may very well serve as one of her private advisors. Some have even speculated on what role he may have played in her appointment. Perhaps he encouraged her to take the job or helped promote her expertise.

Guttenberg recently hosted the president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), Moritz Schularick, on his podcast. Schularick told Guttenberg: “It is indeed the case that I would not be president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy if we hadn’t talked about it, so you have something to do with it.”

In their coalition talks, Schularick advised the Social Democrats and the cdu-csu to soften the debt brake for defense spending and set up a special fund for infrastructure. The two parties followed his advice. In their podcast, the Guttenberg and Schularick expressed hope that the funds would be used wisely.

Guttenberg also has a direct connection to new German Chancellor Merz. The two have known each other for many years, and in 2020 both were invited by Wolfram Weimer to the economic forum of the Ludwig-Erhard-Gipfel. Weimer at the time described Merz as the most promising candidate for chancellor; Guttenberg said, “For me, Friedrich Merz is currently the only one of the cdu-csu politicians who I consider to be entirely suitable for this task or who I would vote for.”

Today, Weimer serves as Germany’s new cultural minister under Merz and is thus yet another connection to Guttenberg. While Weimer can no longer cohost the Ludwig-Erhard-Gipfel, his wife, Christiane Goetz-Weimer, continues the tradition and invited both Guttenberg and Reiche to this year’s annual gathering, held from May 7 to 9.

With these and other events, Guttenberg’s connection to the new government are certain to grow. His potential influence on the government may also be prophetically relevant.

Ever since Guttenberg stepped down from political responsibilities, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has noted that he will likely make a comeback in line with Bible prophecy.

As our booklet A Strong German Leader Is Imminent explains, various prophecies in the book of Daniel and Revelation foretell the rise of a strong and unusually cunning leader. Daniel 11 notes that he will come to power by “flatteries.” The book of Revelation adds that he will assume rule over 10 nations in Europe, holding a position akin to that of an emperor of old.

In a Dec. 5, 2018, Key of David program titled “The Prophesied Holy Roman Empire Has Arrived,” Mr. Flurry noted:

This strongman could come on the scene as maybe like a president or a king over those 10 kings, or a ruler over those 10 kings, and rule all of Europe that way.

He could be appointed that way, according to Revelation 17:12-13. There are indications of that. So we’ll have to wait and see, but he’s going to come in by flatteries! I’ll tell you this, Mr. Guttenberg is a charming man, and we have said again for years that we believe he’s going to lead that powerful European Union, which is going to be pared down to 10 nations and called the Holy Roman Empire.

It remains to be seen who will fulfill this prophecy and how he will come to power. But Guttenberg’s connections to the new German government certainly make him a man to watch.