Not tough enough: For the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, the federal government’s planned changes to sanctions against Russian oligarchs don’t go far enough. She now wants to make suggestions herself.
The Union has called for tougher action against Russian oligarchs.
“The sanctions must really hurt the Putin regime if they are to achieve anything,” said the deputy chairwoman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Andrea Lindholz, on Friday in Berlin. “The federal government must act much faster and more consistently than before.”
The federal government is planning legal changes to better enforce sanctions against Russian oligarchs. According to government circles, oligarchs who are on the EU sanctions list must disclose their assets.
Previous sanctions: “Toothless tiger”
It is good that the federal government has finally presented something, said the legal policy spokesman for the Union faction, Günter Krings. “But that was long overdue. So far, the sanctions have proven to be a toothless tiger that some oligarchs have laughed at. However, the government proposals mentioned so far do not go far enough.” The Union will come up with proposals that are broader, more tangible and more effective. The control of real estate purchases should be strengthened, for example by a ban on cash payments and the establishment of a suspected money laundering database.
“It’s absurd that oligarchs in Germany are still allowed to use their yachts and luxury cars even though they’re frozen,” said Lindholz. “We need a legal situation here, like in Italy, that when assets are frozen, their use is also prohibited. Only when the oligarch is no longer allowed to drive his yacht does it really limit him.”
In exceptional cases, the assets of a person sanctioned by the EU should even be able to be confiscated and auctioned off. «The proceeds should be made available to Ukraine for the reconstruction of the country. That may be just a drop in the bucket financially, but it is an important political signal.”
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
