Gerhard Schröder reacted relaxed to the exclusion motions directed against him and the internal proceedings of the SPD – nothing would change in his basic political convictions. “I am and will remain a social democrat,” says the former chancellor.
According to his own statement, former chancellor Gerhard Schröder looks calmly at the internal SPD proceedings regarding the motions to exclude him from the party. “I look at the party order process with composure. I am and will remain a social democrat,” he told the “Spiegel”.
According to the report, Schröder stressed that the outcome of the proceedings would have no consequences for his basic political convictions. “I have never voted for anything other than SPD in my political life. That will continue to be the case in the future, even if one or the other of the SPD leadership may be making it a bit difficult for me at the moment.” He emphasized: “My basic political position will not change.”
It is unclear whether Gerhard Schröder himself will take part in the hearing in Hanover
Schröder has been criticized for years for his commitment to Russian state-owned companies. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the pressure on him had increased. Several motions to expel the party were made. The oral hearing is scheduled for June 22 in Hanover. The arbitration commission of the SPD sub-district region Hanover is responsible for the party organization procedure because Schröder is a member of the associated SPD local association Oststadt-Zoo.
It is unclear whether Schröder himself will appear at the hearing. “Der Spiegel” reported last week that the former Chancellor would stay away from the appointment and would not be legally represented.
Schröder finally announced in May that he was leaving the supervisory board of the Russian energy giant Rosneft and turned down a nomination for a supervisory board position at Gazprom. He has been close friends with Russian President Vladimir Putin since his time as chancellor (1998 to 2005).
