Featured article have much longer introductions, i.e. this introduction is not particularly long and I don't see why it is a problem using 6-7 words to mention he occupied the 4th highest position in Germany. Since the introduction states that he "resigned", I think it is necessary to make it clear that he didn't resign completely. Being honorary chairman of CDU Baden-Württemberg is not unimportant. I guess we could add a sentence describing there was different views on him.