Günther Oettinger appears to have made a narrow escape.

In a eulogy on April 11 for Hans Filbinger, a former Baden-Württemberg state premier and a military judge during the Third Reich, Oettinger praised his predecessor as an opponent of the Nazi regime. In fact, as a judge, Filbinger personally signed death sentences for soldiers deserting Hitler's army late in World War II.

The eulogy attracted massive criticism from Jewish groups, Social Democrats and even Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel. After initially sticking by his eulogy, Oettinger decided on Monday to smooth the waves.

In a statement, Oettinger said, "I do not stand by my choice of words. On the contrary, I distance myself from them."

In the nick of time

Oettinger's retreat came only one day before archivists in Baden-Württemberg uncovered Filbinger's Nazi Party membership card -- ending any questions as to whether he was a Nazi supporter.

Filbinger was forced to resign from the office of state premier in 1978, after playwright Rolf Hochhuth published a play dealing with his activities during the Third Reich.

The Baden Württemberg chapter of the conservative Christian Democrats had defended Filbinger's record. But with Oettinger's announcement, that policy would seem to be a thing of the past.

After Oettinger's announcement, Hochhuth said it was time to end the discussions. "It is absurd," Hochhuth told the daily Bild newspaper, "to call for Oettinger's resignation. He's seen the error of his ways and apologized. That's the end of the matter."

The chairman of the Social Democrats, Kurt Beck, also said he considered the debate to be over.

While acknowledging that Oettinger's retraction had probably saved his career, most German newspapers said that his political reputation had been seriously damaged. "Oettinger got it all wrong," wrote Berlin's Tagesspiegel, "and indeed in every respect."

Meanwhile, Angela Merkel is drawing praise for forcing her conservative colleague to back down from his controversial statements.