Schröder calls back the Bundestag office and employees

Created: 06/15/2022, 21:47

By: Sarah Neumeyer

Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) © Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is apparently demanding his Bundestag office back.

In mid-May, the budget committee decided to abolish his former chancellor privileges.

Berlin – According to media reports, former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) is demanding his Bundestag office and his employees back.

In May, the budget committee of the Bundestag decided to abolish his former chancellor privileges.

Schröder does not want to accept this unchecked and is looking for a conversation with the committee, reports the German Press Agency.

The committee's decision, which can be seen in the media, was "evidently illegal and unconstitutional," quoted the news portal The Pioneer on Wednesday evening from a letter from Schröder's lawyer to the chairman of the Bundestag's budget committee, Helge Braun (CDU).

On behalf of his client, the lawyer therefore requests the committee to send him a “verifiable and therefore appealable decision”.

Schröder learned "through the media" that his office was to be "put on hold" and that the positions assigned to the office were to be wound down.

The lawyer and Braun's office did not initially respond to inquiries from the German Press Agency in the evening.

The Bild newspaper also quoted from the letter.

In their report, citing this, it says that a judicial clarification is not at the forefront "despite the now no longer acceptable public hounding".

One would be "happy about the chance to find a mutually acceptable regulation "at eye level" by means of a discussion".

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the letter was also available.

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 treasury for personnel expenses in Schröder's office.

According to the committee decision, the former chancellor is still entitled to a pension and personal protection.

(sne/dpa)