Overview
- Hendrik Hering said on May 22, 2026 that he will not accept a newly proposed second Geschäftsführer role at state-majority Lotto Rheinland‑Pfalz because the appointment would create the impression of paid patronage and hurt public trust.
- The CDU and SPD have since agreed not to create the second chief post and to leave the company with a single Geschäftsführer at the next supervisory-board meeting.
- Jürgen Häfner remains set to step down at the end of May after about 12 years as sole chief and Christian Baldauf is reported as the intended successor, though his appointment still requires formal supervisory-board approval.
- The proposal had drawn sharp criticism from the Bund der Steuerzahler, the Greens and the AfD, which commissioned an expert opinion through the Landtag’s Scientific Service and has prompted parliamentary questions about governance and board representation.
- The episode has focused attention on how the state fills posts at majority-owned companies and on executive pay at Lotto Rheinland‑Pfalz, where a 2024 audit shows the CEO’s total compensation was roughly €200,000, and it could trigger further oversight by the Landtag and watchdog groups.