If the traffic light coalition has its way, Gerhard Schröder will lose some of his former chancellor privileges. Several positions in his office would then no longer be filled. But the decision has a legal aftermath: Schröder turns on a prominent lawyer.
Gerhard Schröder is having the decision by the Bundestag Budget Committee to abolish some of his former chancellor privileges legally reviewed. The lawyer Michael Nagel confirmed a corresponding report by “Spiegel”. “I ask for your understanding that further questions will not be answered at this point in time,” said the lawyer.
Nagel had 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. Several positions in the offices of the former Federal Chancellor are no longer to be filled. 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.
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 coffers 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.
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