Will Gerhard Schröder leave the SPD after the Russia debacle?
The former chancellor's lawyer takes a stand
Created: 07/02/2022 06:02
By: Momir Takac
Gerhard Schröder must fear being expelled from the SPD - or not?
The former chancellor's lawyer is calm.
Osnabrück - Gerhard Schröder enjoyed a high reputation within the SPD for a long time - too long, some think.
At some point the party members had to react to the growing criticism of the former chancellor because of his closeness to Vladimir Putin and his gas lobbying activities.
Gerhard Schröder threatens to be expelled from the SPD – lawyer Nagel calmly
In the meantime, Schröder, who left the Russian oil company, may be on the verge of being thrown out of the SPD.
After an oral hearing about a party expulsion had to be postponed twice because of Corona, it is now planned for July 14th and 15th at the SPD sub-district Hannover region.
Former SPD Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is interviewed in the Bundestag.
© IMAGO / Jens Schicke
But Gerhard Schröder apparently has little to fear, at least that's what his lawyer believes.
"Excluded.
There will be no expulsion from the party,” Michael Nagel told the
Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung
with conviction.
"Those responsible in the party will know, at least in the back room, that there is no actual or legal basis for this," Nagel continued.
Schröder lawyer Nagel: I don't understand why people don't take advantage of being close to Putin
The lawyer made it clear that Schröder will not be present at the hearing in person.
“Because there are no grounds for personal justification.
He was, is and will remain a committed SPD member.
The SPD and Gerhard Schröder are inseparable,” explained Nagel.
Furthermore, Schröder's defense attorney cannot understand why the closeness to the Russian president is not being exploited in times of the Ukraine conflict.
"In such a situation, anyone who understands conflict or dispute resolution does not call for an end to an existing friendship with Vladimir Putin that has grown over decades, but to use it for ongoing talks in the interest of the country and for a peace policy."
(mt/ dpa)
