In Germany, Uproar Over a Doctoral Thesis

I wonder if his supporters would be so enthusiastic if they found out their family doctors had cheated to pass their medical exams.

Credentials matter. That's why we require people have them. So we can be certain (within reason) that they possess the capabilities their degrees imply. In the case of a politician, the degree could signify a level of critical thinking, diligence, and knowledge. The only thing plagiarism tells us is that he is a liar, and a cheater.

Wait a second, he has the perfect credentials for politics...

What a boring national controversy.