"Don't cross the line of humiliation": Kubicki contradicts Scholz in the Schröder case
Created: 05/23/2022, 04:57
By: Florian Naumann, Stephanie Munk, Anna-Katharina Ahnefeld
Gerhard Schroeder in the HDI Arena during the Hannover 96 game against Darmstadt in February 2022. © localpic/Imago
Gerhard Schröder is examining steps to prevent the loss of his former chancellor privileges - and throws in the oil company Rosneft.
The date for a hearing in SPD party order proceedings is set.
Update from May 22, 6:39 a.m
.: FDP Federal Vice Wolfgang Kubicki has rejected demands that former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) should give up more jobs at Russian companies.
"No further action is required, neither by the ex-Chancellor nor by the German Bundestag," said Kubicki, who is also Vice-President of the Bundestag, to the
Funke
newspapers.
"Consequences are understandable and understandable, but the line of humiliation should not be crossed," he said.
Among other things, he contradicted Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
He had asked Schröder to stop further activities for companies from the country after resigning from the supervisory board post at the Russian energy company Rosneft
(see previous update)
.
"We note that it is now happening to one, and the others must follow," said Scholz on Saturday in Hildesheim on the sidelines of the SPD state delegate conference.
The Federal Chancellor stressed that Schröder stands alone with his attitude.
After Rosneft: Scholz calls on Schröder to resign from other posts
Update from May 21, 3:13 p.m .:
After the resignation of the supervisory board post at the Russian energy group Rosneft, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) called on former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to stop further activities for companies in the country.
"We note that it is now happening to one and the others must follow," said Scholz on Saturday in Hildesheim on the sidelines of the SPD state delegate conference.
The Federal Chancellor stressed that Schröder stands alone with his attitude.
Rosneft announced on Friday that Schröder would not extend his term as head of the supervisory board.
Schröder is also nominated for the supervisory board of the Russian energy company Gazprom and works as a leading lobbyist for the Gazprom subsidiaries Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2.
Update from May 21, 11:10 a.m .:
SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert criticized Gerhard Schröder’s resignation from his supervisory board position at the Russian energy company Rosneft as a step that was too late.
The decision of the former SPD chancellor was "probably not entirely accidental," said Kühnert of the
Rheinische Post -
obviously Kühnert means the pressure from the federal government, the Bundestag and the EU Parliament on Schröder.
"Unfortunately much too late."
However, Kühnert kept a low profile on the EU Parliament's specific demand for sanctions against Schröder.
"I have no reason to hold a protective hand over him.
If there are clear, objective criteria for sanctions lists, then of course they apply to everyone.
Others will have to judge whether that is the case here.”
The Green MEP Reinhard Bütikofer told the
Handelsblatt
: "Neither Mr. Schröder nor the SPD will be able to leave this matter behind with half measures." He accused the Chancellor of refusing to speak plainly.
"Scholz's statements about the Schröder cause show hesitation." And: "Scholz speaks more as an SPD man and less as a chancellor."
Exclusion from Schröder?
First hearing is pending - former chancellor also invited
Update from May 20, 3:45 p.m .:
In the SPD party order process because of former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s Russia connections, a first oral hearing will take place on June 15.
The managing director of the SPD district in Hanover, Christoph Matterne, told the AFP news agency on Friday that he had informed everyone involved, including Schröder, about the date.
According to this, 14 SPD branches have so far applied for a party order procedure that could lead to the expulsion of the former Chancellor from the party.
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Matterne was unable to assess whether Schröder's decision to resign from the board of directors of the Russian oil company Rosneft, which became known on Friday, will have an impact on the proceedings.
This must be decided by the responsible arbitration committee, he said.
They will certainly advise you on this.
According to Matterne, it is still unclear whether Schröder himself will take part in the oral hearing.
According to the applicable provisions, he could also be represented by legal counsel with SPD membership.
Matterne assumed that June 15 alone would not be enough for the hearing.
He had therefore already invited to another hearing for June 22nd.
Schröder paradox: former chancellor wants to take action against sanctions - and throws in the Putin group
First report from May 20th, 1.30 p.m.:
Hanover – The Bundestag had indirectly sanctioned Gerhard Schröder for his pro-Russian attitude.
However, the former chancellor is not giving in without a fight: Schröder is having the decision by the Bundestag Budget Committee to abolish his former chancellor privileges legally reviewed.
There was also second, rather unexpected news from Schröder on Friday: the former SPD chancellor wants to leave the supervisory board of the Russian oil company Rosneft.
Schröder, who is the head of the Rosneft supervisory board, announced that it was impossible for him to extend his mandate on the board, the group announced on Friday.
Details were not given.
The German businessman Matthias Warnig is leaving the supervisory board with Schröder.
Gerhard Schröder has his privileges abolished and throws in the towel at Rosneft
Shortly before, lawyer Michael Nagel had confirmed a report by
Spiegel
that Schröder was initiating a legal review of the withdrawal of his privileges.
"I ask for your understanding that further questions will not be answered at this point in time," said the dpa lawyer.
Nagel had also defended Christian Wulff in the process of taking advantage, the ex-Federal President was acquitted in early 2014.
On Thursday, the budget committee in Berlin voted to close the former chancellor's office.
The approval of a corresponding application by the traffic light coalition is the culmination of the ostracism of the former SPD leader because of his ongoing ties to Russia.
Schröder is said to lose his office - the official justification has nothing to do with the war in Russia and the Ukraine
For legal reasons, however, Schröder's relations with Russia and Putin were not used to justify the deletion of the office.
Rather, according to the traffic light application, financial support will depend on whether former top politicians actually still take on tasks.
It was said that Schröder no longer accepted any obligations from his time as Chancellor.
Last year, more than 400,000 euros flowed from the state treasury for personnel expenses in Schröder's office.
According to the decision, the former chancellor is still entitled to a pension and personal protection.
Gerhard Schröder initially did not comment on the matter.
(
dpa/aka
)
