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A woman votes in the mock referendums, the ballot box is in the trunk of a car
Photo: - / AFP
The responsible supervisory boards and the association board have released the managing director of the local Hessian energy supplier Energie Waldeck-Frankenberg (EWF) after his controversial trip to Ukraine.
This is a "reaction to his work as an election observer of the illegal Russian sham referendums in Ukraine," according to a statement from the district.
The decision was unanimous.
According to the announcement, the committees should discuss Stefan Schaller's dismissal "promptly".
This is a "formal way" that must be observed.
"The behavior of the managing director clearly violates the world view, the moral values and the philosophy of the company, which resolutely rejects violations of international law and any form of violence," said district administrator Jürgen van der Horst, who is also the chairman of the company's supervisory board.
The decision should "not only send a clear signal, but also avert damage to the company".
According to this, Energie Waldeck-Frankenberg supplies around 90,000 households.
Praise Quotes and Videos
Schaller had – according to his own statements privately – traveled to the Zaporizhia region to accompany mock referendums on annexation organized by Russia as an “election observer” – and thus helped to give the vote the appearance of legitimacy: the Russian agency Tass quoted Schaller on Saturday saying that his first impression is that everything is "very well organized".
The people are "enthusiastic" about the "elections" and want to "prevent something dangerous".
Videos from Russian media also showed Schaller.
(Read more about the case here.)
The pseudo-referendums on the union with Russia were announced at short notice on Tuesday in the regions partially occupied by Russia.
Ukraine had previously recaptured many of its towns and cities in the east and south of the country in a counter-offensive.
The sham referendums are illegal under international law, their outcome is assumed and they could lead to a further military escalation: Moscow could then interpret attacks to recapture these occupied Ukrainian regions as attacks on its national territory.
»Get a picture of the situation on site«
Manager Schaller told the »Hessische/Niedersächsische Allgemeine« (»HNA«) on Saturday that he wanted to »get an idea of the situation on site«.
On Saturday, Schaller replied to a request for a meeting from SPIEGEL that he asked for your understanding because of the impending release, “that I have to lead the discussion in the committees first”.
The Council of Elders and the district committee of the district had previously met in a special session and had spoken out in favor of releasing Schaller from his duties.
The district has a stake in the energy supplier.
A few days ago, a similar trip had already caused bewilderment: On Tuesday, three AfD politicians broke off their trip to Russia and occupied areas of Ukraine after sharp criticism, including from within the party.
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