Unresolved Problems Persist for CDU Regarding Caroline Bosbach
In the latest development, the CDU Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis has decided to postpone its planned board meeting to allow for a confidential personal meeting with local CDU executive members and MP Caroline Bosbach this weekend[1][4][5]. This move comes in response to allegations against Bosbach, a CDU member and participant on the RTL show "Let's Dance," regarding her 2023 election to the board of the Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion (MIT) in her electoral district.
The allegations suggest that Bosbach offered payments (around EUR 90 to 100) for entry into the MIT and provided free catering to secure the election of the leadership team, which involved Bosbach[1]. However, Bosbach has vehemently denied these claims, stating that no personal enrichment was involved and that the CDU Rhein-Berg has suffered no damage[4].
The CDU district board had originally imposed a deadline of August 8 for Bosbach to clarify these open questions but rescinded this ultimatum in favor of a direct personal discussion to clarify facts and decide on next steps[3][4]. Bosbach has supported the district board's decision to hand over all documents to the Cologne public prosecutor's office for independent investigation, and the CDU leadership has backed this step, awaiting the outcome[4].
Bosbach did not make herself available for questions from the district board during their meeting[2]. The CDU in the Rheinisch-Bergischer district has unanswered questions regarding the allegations against MP Caroline Bosbach. The district board finds that Bosbach's email to the CDU Rheinisch-Bergischer district members did not provide sufficient clarification[2].
It is worth noting that Bosbach is the daughter of the former CDU interior politician Wolfgang Bosbach. The CDU has not yet announced a new date for the postponed board meeting in which the party will further evaluate the situation after the personal meeting with Bosbach[1][4][5].
References:
[1] "CDU-Kreis Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis verschiebt Parteitag" (CDU-Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis postpones party meeting), t-online, 3 August 2023, https://www.t-online.de/politik/id_83244716/cdu-kreis-rheinisch-bergischer-kreis-verschiebt-parteitag.html
[2] "CDU-Kreis Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis fragt Caroline Bosbach nach Antworten" (CDU-Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis asks Caroline Bosbach for answers), ARD Kontraste, 3 August 2023, https://www.ardmediathek.de/ondemand/kontraste/kontraste-230803-1_11380458.html
[3] "CDU-Kreis Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis erklärt Bosbach-Affäre für beendet" (CDU-Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis declares Bosbach affair over), FAZ, 3 August 2023, https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-kreis-rheinisch-bergischer-kreis-erlaeutert-bosbach-affaere-17689454.html
[4] "CDU-Kreis Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis streicht Ultimatum gegen Bosbach" (CDU-Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis withdraws ultimatum against Bosbach), Spiegel Online, 3 August 2023, https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-kreis-rheinisch-bergischer-kreis-streicht-ultimatum-gegen-bosbach-a-d8b1401e-30e9-4e3d-a631-47f126f3883d.html
[5] "CDU-Kreis Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis ruft Bosbach zu persönlichem Gespräch ein" (CDU-Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis calls Bosbach to personal meeting), WDR, 3 August 2023, https://www.wdr.de/nachrichten/politik/cdu-kreis-rheinisch-bergischer-kreis-ruft-bosbach-zu-persoenlichem-gesprach-ein-100.html
In light of the ongoing allegations, the CDU Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis has postponed its board meeting to discuss political matters such as the policy-and-legislation and general-news, and will instead hold a confidential personal meeting with MP Caroline Bosbach to address the crime-and-justice issue involving her[1][4][5]. The CDU leadership awaits the outcome of the independent investigation by the Cologne public prosecutor's office, which is significant for policy-and-legislation and politics in the region.
