CDU politicians are missing in the Bundestag: Instead, at a hunting course

Created: 2022-01-20 06:18

Tino Sorge (CDU) speaks at a debate in the Bundestag.

© Michael Kappeler/dpa/archive image

Hunting course instead of a Bundestag debate on the future of hospitals - after his rise to the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, health politician Tino Sorge was caught up in a process in autumn 2020.

Magdeburg/Berlin - The Magdeburg member of the Bundestag Tino Sorge (CDU) was absent from several session days in parliament in September 2020 and attended an intensive course at a hunting school during this time. This was granted by concern after research by the German Press Agency. "In retrospect, I would avoid collisions like this if possible," he said when asked. The exercise of his mandate as a Member of Parliament was never affected, said Sorge. The 46-year-old has been health policy spokesman for the Union faction since December and was previously active in the health committee.

The absence of the Magdeburg MP caused criticism within the party, which arose again after his rise to health policy spokesman. According to party circles, CDU state leader Sven Schulze had a “serious conversation” with concern when he was Secretary General in autumn 2020. Schulze confirmed that he had such a conversation after a tip from Berlin. However, the content should remain internal. "As a member of parliament, he is responsible for what worried Tino at the time," said Schulze.

According to the plenary minutes, Sorge apologized for the sessions of the Bundestag on September 11th and 16th to 18th.

The two-week intensive course took place from September 11th at the hunting and nature school in Schönebeck (Salzland district).

The city is in the constituency of the CDU politician.

On September 18, the Hospital Future Act was on the agenda in parliament.

Sorge's absence from the Bundestag came immediately after Parliament's two-month summer recess.

"The fact that some of the hunting course had to take place on meeting days is due to a postponement by the organizers," said Sorge.

The course was originally scheduled for the session-free time.

In the state party, Sorge's absence is being discussed critically, but only a few politicians have officially commented on it.

State President Gunnar Schellenberger (CDU) did not want to comment on the incident, but basically described it as "absurd" if private hobbies were placed above MP work.

“For me, parliamentary work comes first.

I recommend this attitude to every other MEP,” he said.

As the Bundestag administration announced on request, the flat-rate fee will be reduced if MPs are absent from plenary session days.

"In the case of an excused absence", it is 100 euros per day of the plenary session, said a spokesman.

"Personally, in more than eight years as a member of the Bundestag, I have only missed a few days of meetings - always apologies," said Sorge.

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On October 9, 2020, Sorge apologized again in the Bundestag.

On this day, hunter tests were carried out in the Salzland district.

dpa