Enlarge image
Gerhard Schroeder (SPD)
Photo: Julian Stratenschulte / DPA
So far there has been clear criticism of the former chancellor's recent statements on the Ukraine crisis and his increased involvement as a Russian gas lobbyist from all democratic parties - except from the left.
Now its chairwoman, Susanne Hennig-Wellsow, also finds clear words.
"For Schröder, but that's nothing new: once the comrade of the bosses, always the comrade of the bosses," Hennig-Wellsow told SPIEGEL when asked what she thought of Schröder's commitment.
One should ask a "single parent receiving Hartz IV" what she thinks about Schröder, according to the Left Party leader.
The Russian energy giant Gazprom recently announced that Schröder had been nominated for the state-owned company's supervisory board.
The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for June 30th.
Schröder is a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin and recently claimed that Ukraine was engaged in "saber rattling" in the conflict with Russia.
There were similar voices from the left as well.
Schröder is already Chairman of the Shareholders' Committee of Nord Stream AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nord Stream 2 AG.
Both gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea connect Russia and Germany.
Schröder also works as the head of the supervisory board at the Russian state energy company Rosneft.
The Russian daily newspaper »Kommersant« reported in 2020 that Schröder received compensation of 600,000 euros for his work.
The left, which Schröder has repeatedly and clearly criticized for Agenda 2010, has remained surprisingly calm about his involvement as a lobbyist.
A section of the left-wing parliamentary group has repeatedly been criticized for being too uncritical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Just last week, ex-left MP Dieter Dehm described Putin as a unique personality on the Russian propaganda channel RT, who no Western statesman could hold a candle to.
According to Dehm, no other politician is currently trying to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict more.
There is no one big enough to succeed Putin as Russian President.
Hennig-Wellsow is attributed to another camp on the left and also questions the controversial Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline.
Recently, more and more Social Democrats had distanced themselves from Schröder.
"The way Gerhard Schröder behaves is completely underground," said Sebastian Roloff, a member of the Bundestag.
In addition, there are increasing calls for Schröder to be deprived of his former chancellorship in the Bundestag.
till