NOf course it is a political decision of the Budget Committee to deprive former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder of his office and staff. However, it must be done within the framework of the law and is also subject to judicial review – this is exactly what distinguishes the free democratic basic order from Putin’s empire or from an “absolutist princely state” that the social democrat Schröder paints on the wall.
The Bundestag does not justify its decision with Schröder’s closeness to the Russian tyrant, but with the fact that Schröder, whom his closest associates have left for political reasons, is no longer performing his “after-effects official duties”. That might even be true, because at least the federal government wants nothing more to do with him.
Schröder is well taken care of
One can indeed argue about what these duties are, as well as about the scope of the equipment as a whole. There is no legal basis for this so far; but a practice. The rule of law must not act arbitrarily. However, there is no entitlement to certain equipment, which may also be used to the detriment of Germany. Schröder is well taken care of. He will not be able to restore his ruined reputation even through legal action.
