Former chancellor: Schröder seeks talks on removing privileges

Former chancellor: Schröder seeks talks on removing privileges

In mid-May, the budget committee decides to close the office of the former chancellor. But he still has unanswered questions and does not want to accept this unchecked.

Gerhard Schröder (SPD) is opposed to the decision by the budget committee of the Bundestag to abolish his former chancellor privileges.

In a letter to the chairman of the committee, Helge Braun (CDU), Schröder’s lawyer asked for a “verifiable and therefore appealable decision” to be sent to him. The letter was available to the German Press Agency. The news portal “The Pioneer”, “Bild” and the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” had previously reported on it.

The letter states that the former chancellor learned “through the media” that his office “should be put on hold” and “the positions assigned to the office should be “wound up”. And further: “This decision is based on the finding that he no longer perceives any “ongoing obligations from the office”. No further justification is given for this finding. “This may be because another reason was and is actually responsible for the withdrawal of these “privileges”, which should not be addressed further. However, the “Gazettes” also do not reveal what the budget committee actually means by “ongoing obligations from the office”. It also says: “A decision by the budget committee, as can be seen in the media, is evidently illegal and unconstitutional.”

Schröder under pressure for connection to Russia

A judicial clarification is “not at the forefront” “despite the now no longer acceptable public “hunt””. The lawyer would “be happy about the chance to reach an agreement acceptable to all sides “on an equal footing” by means of a discussion”.

Schröder, a long-time friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly come under pressure because of his connections to Russia. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, this increased further. Several motions to expel the party were made.

In mid-May, the budget committee voted to close the former chancellor’s office. Last year, more than 400,000 euros flowed from the state coffers for personnel expenses in Schröder’s office. According to the committee decision, the former chancellor is still entitled to a pension and personal protection.

Source: Stern

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