Committee Stands Firm on Schröder's Declaration - Lawyer Expresses Indignation
Updates on the Controversial Summons of Gerhard Schröder
It's been quite a rollercoaster ride with the investigation conducted by the Schwerin state parliament, as they persistently seek to question the ex-Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder. As announced by Green Party MP Hannes Damm, the committee has summoned the 81-year-old for yet another round, this time on October 17, 2025. This encounter will mark Schröder's third time before the committee, investigating the MV Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation.
Legal Dispute Surrounding Schröder's Testimony
Schröder's lawyer, Hans-Peter Huber, expresses his discontent with this ongoing process. He argues that this procedure falls outside the Code of Criminal Procedure that committees typically follow. Huber claims it's inexplicable that private medical reports are being questioned and the reasoning behind this summons is insufficient.
Huber states, "Gerhard Schröder won't have sufficiently recovered by October to appear before the committee. Such a date could potentially have serious consequences for the former Chancellor's recovery process." Schröder had previously sought treatment for a burnout in a Swiss clinic and has indicated to the committee that a stable recovery may not be certain in 2025, suggesting avoiding unusual stress situations until then.
A Closer Look at Schröder's Activities Post-Politics
After leaving politics, Schröder has been associated with Russian energy companies, including serving as chairman of the supervisory board of Nord Stream 2 AG.
In a letter to the committee in mid-2025, Schröder emphasized his continued support for the Baltic Sea pipeline, Nord Stream 2, as he believes it provides Germany's industry with secure and affordable energy sources.
Opposition's Interest in Russian Influence
The opposition parties, who initiated this special committee, are keen to gain insights from Schröder regarding potential Russian influence on decisions made by the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state government. Back in early 2021, the government established the MV Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation to secure the completion of the Russian-German gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2, which faced threats from US sanctions. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the foundation's prolonged existence despite the intended dissolution have sparked strong curiosity among the opposition parties.
With media reports circulating about Schröder's health condition and this upcoming October 17, 2025, summons, the question remains whether the ex-Chancellor will be able to deliver his testimony. There seems to be considerable skepticism surrounding the purpose and justification of the continued summons, with Schröder's lawyer raising concerns about the potential negative impact on the former Chancellor's recovery process. However, the official stance of the Schwerin state parliament remains staunch despite Schröder's medical reports.
*1. The ongoing controversy over Gerhard Schröder's summons by the Schwerin state parliament, particularly the date set for October 17, 2025, has sparked debates in the realm of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, as Schröder's legal team argues the process falls outside the usual Code of Criminal Procedure.
- As Schröder's involvement with Russian energy companies, such as Nord Stream 2 AG, continues to be a subject of interest, crime-and-justice critics probe deeper into potential Russian influence on decisions made by the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state government, questioning the motivations behind the continuous summons of the ex-Chancellor despite his health concerns.*
