Three people decide on Gerhard Schröder’s future. They form a so-called arbitration commission. This body always comes together when local, district or state organizations of a party want to expel a member. In the case of the former chancellor, there were 17 such applications. Schröder has been criticized primarily for his business ties with Russia and his close friendship with Vladimir Putin. Two weeks ago, the responsible arbitration commission for the sub-district of Hanover negotiated the party’s exclusion for the first time, without any result. In an interview with the star, party lawyer Alexandra Bäcker classifies the case.

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