Inquires raised concerning the special privileges of the ex-Chancellor by the FDP

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder Under Scrutiny Over Ties to Russia

In a recent development, Gerhard Schröder, the former Chancellor of Germany, has found himself under scrutiny due to his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Schröder is currently the chairman of the supervisory board for the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, a position that has raised concerns among political circles.

The project company for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is owned solely by Gazprom, a Russian energy company. Schröder's involvement with Rosneft, the largest Russian oil company, as its chairman of the supervisory board for three years, has also been a point of contention.

Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition politician and Putin critic, has accused Schröder of being "Putin's errand boy." The FDP, a German political party, has joined Navalny in questioning Schröder's state privileges, citing his proximity to Putin.

Schröder's ties to Russia extend beyond his roles at Nord Stream 2 and Rosneft. He has held various positions and activities, including being an advisor to the Swiss Ringier publishing group, the Libyan Investment Authority, Rothschild Bank, and the Gröner Group (until February 2022), serving as deputy chairman of the supervisory board of Herrenknecht AG (until February 2022), and acting as an arbitrator between Transnet and Deutsche Bahn in 2006, among others.

Schröder's dismissal of findings regarding Navalny's poisoning with the chemical warfare agent Novichok as "speculation" has further fueled the controversy. Navalny, who was poisoned in August 2020, has been a vocal critic of Putin's regime.

Despite the criticisms, Schröder enjoys certain benefits as a former chancellor. He receives a monthly pension, which is offset against income from other activities. In 2017, Schröder had a claim of around 561,000 euros from the state treasury for the payment of employees in his Berlin office.

For the fiscal year 2021, one staff position is planned for Schröder's office, while there are two planned positions for the office of the late former CDU Chancellor Helmut Kohl. The benefits for former chancellors in Germany include a lifetime office with staff and equipment, a service car with driver, personal protection, structural security measures, security technology, and object protection.

A recent photo of Schröder was published by dts Nachrichtenagentur, sparking further discussions about his activities and ties. As the controversy continues to unfold, Schröder's role in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project and his relationship with Putin remain under close scrutiny.