“Well-paid positions” in Russian state-owned companies outrage Germans.
Gerhard Schroeder is no longer wanted in the Social Democratic Party of Germany because of his position at Rosneft and other Russian energy companies linked to Putin. This was reported by DW.
Yes, the Prime Minister of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (SRV) Hendrik Wust demanded from the leadership of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) ) to initiate the procedure of expulsion from the former Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder in connection with his interview with The New York Times.
According to the politician, the SPD leadership previously said that if Schroeder “holds on to his well-paid positions” in the state companies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, he will no longer be able to remain a member of the party. Schroeder's interview testifies to this intention, according to the head of the cabinet.
Wust.
The SPD itself no longer wants to see Gerhard Schroeder among fellow party members. Co-leader of the party Zaski Esken also called on the former chancellor to leave the ranks of the Social Democrats.
“We must stop accepting him as a former chancellor,” she said.
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According to Esken, the party leadership has already asked Schroeder to resign from Rosneft, but to no avail.
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Earlier, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers of Germany Olaf Scholz has called for Schroeder to resign from positions in Russian state energy companies.
In addition, the Union of German Taxpayers and members of the Bundestag called on politicians to give up the office and staff in Berlin, which are provided for life to former German prime ministers at the expense of taxpayers.
Since 2017, the former Chancellor of Germany has headed the supervisory board of directors of the state oil company Rosneft. In addition, he is the Chairman of the Shareholders' Committee of Nord Stream AG, the operator of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, and holds a similar position in Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline. In early February, it became known that Gerhard Schroeder had been nominated to the board of directors of Russia's state-owned Gazprom.
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On April 23, The New York Times published an interview with Gerhard Schroeder. In it, the former chancellor, in particular, said he would resign as chairman of the board of directors of Russia's oil and gas company Rosneft – only if Moscow stops supplying oil and gas to Europe.
“This will not happen,” – said Schroeder. However, in this scenario, “I will resign,” he said
In addition, the former head of the German Cabinet said that “in the long run to isolate a country like Russia, you can not – neither politically nor economically.”
“German industry needs raw materials that are in Russia. It's not just oil and gas, but also rare (elements. – Ed.). This is a raw material that can not just replace, “Schroeder said. The peace and prosperity of Germany and Europe will always depend on dialogue with Russia, he said. “When this war (with Ukraine) ends, we will have to return.” We always do that, “Schroeder added.
Recall German Economy Minister Robert Habeck says that Germany was “stupid” in creating the conditions to be half dependent on Russian natural gas. He spoke about it on Deutschlandfunk radio, Bloomberg reports.
