The German parliament has decided to suspend the right to use the offices in the parliament for former Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder, who has been criticized for being closer to Russia.
It is unusual for the former Prime Minister's rights to be revoked, probably because he remains in the position of a Russian company after the military invasion of Ukraine.
A committee of the German Bundestag passed a motion to suspend the right to use offices in the parliament to former Chancellor Schroeder on the 19th.
After serving as prime minister from 1998 to 2005, Mr. Schroeder has served as chairman of Russia's state-owned oil giant Rosneft, and is said to have continued his position even after the military invasion.
He was pointed out as a representative politician involved in the current situation in Germany, which relies heavily on Russia for energy, and was strongly criticized domestically for being closer to Russia.
It is unusual for the former Prime Minister's rights to be revoked, probably because Mr Schroeder remains in the position of a Russian company after the military invasion.
In addition, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, who belongs to the same political party, said at a press conference on the 19th that he would support the passage of the motion and said, "The former Prime Minister should retire from his position" and cut off relations with Russia. I asked Mr. Schroeder.
Germany, which is rushing to break away from its dependence on Russia, has a strong influence on politicians who have a close relationship with Russia, and it seems that the parliament's response this time is also conscious of public opinion.