Ulrich Junghanns, former Economics Minister of Brandenburg, was criticised for becoming an advisor to the solar company Odersun AG after his time in office, which he had previously supported through substantial state subsidies. As Minister, Junghanns oversaw the approval of €13.4 million in funding for Odersun from Brandenburg’s economic development and innovation programmes, aimed at supporting the company’s expansion and the construction of new production facilities.

After leaving office, Junghanns founded a consulting firm in 2010 and soon began advising the solar company Odersun AG, which he had previously supported through state subsidies. As minister, he had overseen the approval of €13.4 million in funding from Brandenburg’s economic development and innovation programmes, intended to expand Odersun’s production capacity and support its technological growth.

After stepping down, he founded a consulting firm in 2010 and advised Odersun until early 2012. During this period, he reportedly helped the company seek additional financial support, drawing on his longstanding connections to the Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Despite these efforts, Odersun filed for bankruptcy in March 2012. Junghanns’s rapid transition from public office to a consultancy role for a company he had substantially supported was widely criticised as a potential conflict of interest. Observers argued that the case exemplified the risks associated with the revolving door between politics and business and underscored the need for mandatory cooling-off periods for former ministers. The controversy therefore contributed to broader public debate on strengthening integrity standards in post-public employment.