Giffey considers proceedings against von Dassel to be "imperative"

Created: 08/16/2022, 15:54

Stephan von Dassel at a press conference.

© Jörg Carstensen/dpa/archive image

Berlin's governing mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) wants to tackle the upcoming disciplinary proceedings against the district mayor of Mitte, Stephan von Dassel, quickly.

She "of course agreed" to a corresponding request from the Green politician, Giffey said on Tuesday.

Berlin - "We will open a formal disciplinary procedure," she announced.

"Because based on the documents that Mr. von Dassel submitted to us, it cannot be ruled out that he violated his official duties as a civil servant of the State of Berlin.

So that means the initiation of disciplinary proceedings is mandatory.”

Von Dassel is accused of improperly intervening in a process to fill an important position in the district administration.

According to media reports, there is an allegation that, with the help of an offer of several thousand euros in private money, he tried to shorten a legal dispute over the vacancy with an unsuccessful applicant who had sued.

Von Dassel denied the money offer, but also acknowledged mistakes.

Von Dassel's office announced on Monday that he wanted to have the allegations investigated independently.

For this reason, he asked the Berlin Senate Chancellery to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him.

Von Dassel hopes that the procedure will be investigated neutrally and that he will be relieved of the suspicion of a misdemeanor, it said.

Giffey said it was a very formalized disciplinary process governed by law.

"We will meet these requirements," said the head of government.

"And it goes without saying that we do not want to delay this now, but that this matter will be investigated very promptly, very thoroughly, but above all impartially." The procedure will be carried out as thoroughly and responsibly as possible .

dpa