The budget politicians of the traffic light coalition want to remove the former Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's (SPD) staff and offices in the Bundestag.

As the “Bild” (Wednesday edition) reported, citing coalition circles, Schröder should no longer be provided with any employees or offices in the Bundestag. 

The budget politicians from the SPD, Greens and FDP want to adopt a corresponding decision in the so-called adjustment meeting of the budget committee on Thursday.

The reason for the deletion is that Schröder is no longer using the up to six offices and up to seven staff positions to which he was previously entitled.

Schröder, on the other hand, is to keep his pension and his protection by officials from the Federal Criminal Police Office. 

The debate about cutting Schröder's equipment was mainly sparked by his commitment to Russia.

Schröder has not only maintained friendly contacts with the Russian head of state Vladimir Putin for years, but is also chairman of the shareholders' committee of Nord Stream AG and chairman of the supervisory board of the Russian state energy company Rosneft.

Schröder is also running for a post on the board of directors of the state-owned Russian energy company Gazprom.

Response to Union push

The traffic light groups are thus reacting to a push by the Union as part of the deliberations on the 2022 budget. "We will launch an independent proposal for the office of the former Chancellor in the budget committee," said Mützenich.

It should be about a budget note that should be presented at the end of the week in the so-called adjustment meeting of the committee on the federal budget for the current year.

Furthermore, Mützenich did not comment on the content.

Green party leader Britta Haßelmann spoke out in favor of a general new regulation for the equipment paid for by the state for former chancellors.

"Clear rules" are needed on this question, she said in Berlin.

The coalition factions are currently working on a proposal that they would “certainly present shortly”.

The fact that there is a need for action here is a "clear view" within the traffic light - "independent of Gerhard Schröder as a person".

FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr campaigned for a regulation that would be supported by "all democratic forces in the Bundestag".

The official appointments granted so far are based solely on "state practice" and would have to be checked, said Dürr.

A regulation is needed in particular on the question of how long former chancellors should be entitled to equipment.

According to the head of the CSU state group, Alexander Dobrindt, the Union's initiative provides "that we end the appointments of former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder".

This would therefore mean that his staff positions would be eliminated and further budget funds would be cut.

"I believe it is high time that the privileges for an incorrigible Putin lobbyist were ended," Dobrindt said.