- The Washington Times - Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Germany’s education minister has fallen from political grace, as officials with her former Duesseldorf University have found her guilty of plagiarism and stripped away her doctorate degree.

Annette Schavan — a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats and a reported close ally — is vowing to fight the finding, according to a report from Agence France-Presse.

“I will not accept the decision,” she said, in the AFP report, “and will file a lawsuit against it.”

The plagiarism charges focused on Ms. Schavan’s thesis, titled “Person and Conscience,” written 33 years ago. Her political opponents are now calling for her resignation.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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