Several SPD local associations want to challenge the decision of an SPD arbitration commission in the proceedings against former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. At least six of the 17 SPD branches that started the party order proceedings against Schröder want to appeal or have already done so, as the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post” reported on Saturday. So far, four SPD branches have refrained from appealing, while the others have not yet made a decision.
Almost two weeks ago, the responsible arbitration commission of the SPD sub-district Hanover decided that the former chancellor, who had been criticized for his involvement in Russia, could remain a party member and would not receive any reprimands. The decision of August 8th can be appealed within two weeks.
According to the “Rheinische Post”, six local SPD associations or district associations have now decided to appeal this decision: Bochum-Schmechtingtal, Mettmann, Essen-Frohnhausen/Altendorf, Mülheim-Heißen/Heimaterde,leutebach and Leipzig-Ost/Nordost.
“We interpret the statements of the former Chancellor Schröder very differently than the arbitration commission. That’s why we think it’s right to go to the next higher authority,” said the chairman of the local association Mülheim, Daniel Mühlenfeld, the newspaper. Pierre Orthen from the local people’s association said: “We wished for a different outcome of the proceedings. Gerhard Schröder’s behavior is damaging to the party.”
The Heidelberg district association and the local associations in Wathlingen, Lauchringen and Bad Zwischenahn, which were among the applicants in the first procedure, are not seeking an appeal. “With our motion to exclude Gerhard Schröder from the party, we have clearly documented how reprehensible and at the same time shameful we consider Schröder’s behavior to be and that this is in no way compatible with the values of the SPD,” said one of the local club chairmen in Bad Zwischenahn, Dirk Hinrichs.
A decision is expected by the end of next week as to whether the local associations have submitted their appeal in the correct form and by the deadline and whether the proceedings against Schröder can continue, as the “Rheinische Post” reported, citing the responsible SPD district in Hanover.
