Few politicians in Germany today are as repulsed as former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Under his leadership, Germany’s energy dependence on Russia was strengthened, a problem that now affects all of Europe. On top of that, the 2005 decision to build the Nord Stream gas pipeline by Schröder and Russian President Vladimir Putin was followed by a spectacular revolving door case: Within months of leaving office, Schröder moved to several boards of directors of Kremlin-controlled consortiums.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), however, has now decided not to oppose whoever was its president between 1999 and 2004 and also chancellor between 1998 and 2005. The SPD Arbitration Commission in Hannover, Schröder’s political home, rejected applications this Monday from 17 regional party associations from across the country. They demanded disciplinary proceedings against the former Foreign Minister as a first step towards his expulsion.
“We do not understand that this caused damage to the party or violated its charter,” the arbitration body of this party justified its decision. Formation damage is a key issue for the success of an elimination procedure, which can also take years to resolve.
The “damage” to the party did not refer to the revolving door scandal, an issue that was already controversial enough in 2005 but did not come to fruition. He also did not mean the relationship of friendship and political alliance that Schroeder had established from within or outside of power. The demand of 17 regional associations was based on the fact that the ex-foreign minister still does not break ties with Putin. Indeed, he protects them from challenge, as shown by two recent trips to Moscow ostensibly to “mediate” with the Kremlin.
In recent months, Schroeder has stepped down as chairman of the Russian oil company Rosneft to join the giant Gazprom that controls Nord Stream. He did so under intense pressure from the SPD, or perhaps at the risk of becoming a Western-sanctioned Putin sympathizer. What Schroeder, a lawyer and politician, knows can be very expensive.
For many Germans, Schroeder continues to serve his “patron” Vladimir. The leadership of the SPD, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party, has repeatedly distanced itself from its former president. He was even asked to voluntarily give up his militancy. An option that would immediately resolve the dilemmas of social democracy in the face of a former chancellor who has become a disgrace to the party.
“I have nothing to regret,” Schroeder said in a recent interview with German media. A provocative pose, reminiscent of the piece of music he chose in 2005 for his nightly military farewell to power: “My Way.”
Source: El Correo
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