The CDU MP Philipp Amthor has publicly admitted an error on Facebook. The reason: lobbying for a US company - apparently not without consideration.
- The CDU MP Philipp Amthor has now made public statements about allegations of lobbying against him.
- In 2018, he recommended a US start-up Federal Minister of Economics, Peter Altmaier (CDU).
- Apparently not without consideration. The 27-year-old is now commenting on Facebook.
Berlin - The CDU MP Philipp Amthor has now publicly admitted errors in connection with lobbying for the New York company Augustus Intelligence. On his Facebook page, he admits: "It was a mistake".
The 27-year-old Union politician had written for the start-up from the USA in a letter to Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier (CDU) - and apparently not in return. The mirror had previously reported. The draft of the letter available to the magazine was written on the stationery of the German Bundestag in September 2018 and circulated in the company before being sent. In it, Amthor praised the start-up and asked Altmaier for political support. The letter was received on October 2 in the Ministry of Economy.
Amthor apologizes on Facebook: CDU young talent resigns
Amthor now writes on his Facebook page that he has made himself "politically vulnerable". He continues: "My commitment to the company corresponds to looking back is not my own demands on the performance of my political duties ." He had taken action and its secondary activity ended.
According to Spiegel's research in the company's internal communication , it was said in mid-2018 that the politician would be "good for us". For the letter , Amthor employees had celebrated : he was "a great guy", it was said, "we really have to thank him". Two months later, Augustus managers, together with Amthor, are said to have met twice the then Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Christian Hirte.
Philipp Amthor (CDU) admits "mistakes" on Facebook
Amthor , who once compared himself to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, may have personally benefited from his commitment to the company, according to Spiegel . He received at least 2,817 stock options and held a director position. Amthor also went on trips and stays in expensive hotels with Augustus employees. On mirror queries, entries which those who have incurred the costs, Amthor had not replied.
According to the mirror , the former head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans-Georg Maassen , the former BND chief August Hanning and the former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg are said to have connections to the company and its founders.
"I'm not for sale," Amthor wrote in his Facebook apology. But this statement is criticized. "If someone lobbies for a company from which they will later receive stock options and a director's post, it gives the impression of being able to be bought, " said Hartmut Bäumer, Chairman of Transparency Germany . An apology in the Amthor case is not enough, Transparency International demands "complete clarification". "Criminal law relevance" is also possible. In any case, the previous notification requirements for members of the Bundestag would have to be tightened.
Criticism also comes from the Jusos. Ben Schneider, deputy chairman of the SPD Marzahn-Nord, writes on Twitter that Amthor did not admit his mistake based on insight - but rather because he was "caught". "It is not a backbone. That is opportunism, ”complains Schneider.
Incidentally, #Amthor didn't admit his mistake because he saw it, but because he was caught. That is not a backbone. That is opportunism.
- Ben Schneider (@ben_schndr) June 12, 2020Lobbies scandal over Philipp Amthor (CDU)? Politicians admit mistakes
Amthor is considered a young talent in the CDU . Almost a year and a half before the state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania , he has good chances of being party leader in the state. After the surprising resignation of the country's president, Vincent Kokert, the state CDU has lacked an elected party leadership since March. Amthor is currently the only candidate for the country's presidency. According to Amthor, an election party conference could take place in August. He also does not rule out a top candidate for the state election. According to a survey, the CDU in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania recently overtook the SPD led by Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig in the favor of voters.
Amthor also drew attention to itself last year with its decisive stance against the Swedish climate protection activist Greta Thunberg. He recently received outrage for statements about the Auschwitz Nazi extermination camp. He is also considered a friend of the former head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans-Georg Maassen in the ZDF talk Markus Lanz, he commented on it - and was ridiculed by his own colleagues.