Dr. Karl Ernst Thomas de MaiziÃ re ( born 21 January 1954 in Bonn ) was the Minister for Special Affairs in the German government and Head of the Federal Chancellery . On 3 March 2011 , because of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg 's resignation , de MaiziÃ re became Federal Minister for Defense . Karl Ernst Thomas de MaiziÃ re ( ; born 21 January 1954 ) is a German politician ( CDU ) , currently serving as the Minister of Defense ( since 3 March 2011 ) in the Second Cabinet of Chancellor Angela Merkel .