Officials in Germany’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), the largest ruling coalition, formally began Thursday to consider expelling disgraced former chancellor (1998-2005) Gerhard Schroeder from the party, which is causing a growing backlash. heightened resentment in Berlin, particularly over his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Consultations took place in Hanover (North). Christophe Materne, an SPD official, clarified that 17 deletion proposals have been received that meet the formal requirements.
A few hours later, another official of the faction said that the discussion ended without any result. A three-member committee will hold internal party consultations and a decision should be expected within three weeks, he added.
After the decision is made, the parties will have two weeks to appeal.
However, the removal of the former head of the German government is considered rather unlikely, for legal reasons.
Mr Schroeder has – especially this year – been the target of fierce criticism in Germany because he has held top positions in Russian energy companies for years, because he continues to be in contact with Mr Putin, whom he describes as a personal friend, despite the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, as well as because he has not condemned the Russian military invasion, despite intense pressure on him.
Mr. Schröder’s stance puts the current SPD chancellor, Olaf Solz, in a very difficult position.
In May, the former federal chancellor finally announced that he was leaving his position on Rosneft’s board and ruled out taking a position on Gazprom’s board.
A few days ago, Mr. Schroeder stressed in an interview he gave to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that he has no intention of turning away “the opportunities presented to me for talks with President Putin.”
He added that he does not believe there is a military solution to the conflict in Ukraine and questioned why there is so much emphasis on arms supplies to Kyiv. The war “can only be ended by diplomatic negotiations,” he explained.
SOURCE: APE-ME
Source: Capital
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