ARCHIV - 01.07.2020, Berlin: Gerhard Schröder (SPD), ehemaliger Bundeskanzler und jetziger Leiter Verwaltungsrat Nord Stream 2, wartet auf den Beginn der Anhörung im Wirtschaftsausschuss des Bundestags zum Pipeline-Projekt Nord Stream 2 im Sitzungssaal, und hält eine Kaffeetasse in der Hand. (zu dpa "Union will Schröders Altkanzler-Versorgung fast komplett streichen") Foto: Kay Nietfeld/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

From the point of view of his lawyer, former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder does not have to worry about his membership in the SPD. Lawyer Michael Nagel told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that he thought it was impossible for the 78-year-old to be expelled from the SPD. “There is no factual or legal basis for this,” said the lawyer. “There is no expulsion from the party.”

The oral hearing in the SPD sub-district in the Hanover region on several motions to exclude Schröder from the party had to be postponed twice because of Corona, and is now scheduled for July 14. Schröder is also heavily criticized within the party for his connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin.