Former German Chancellor criticized for attending Russian embassy party

Former German Chancellor Schroeder has been criticized by some German lawmakers for attending a Victory Day party hosted by the Russian embassy in Berlin.

German daily Bild published photos on May 10 showing former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and senior members of the far-right AfD and far-left Linke parties at the Russian embassy in Berlin on May 9, attending a Victory Day party organized by the agency.

Mr Schroeder is a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has links to Russian companies. Meanwhile, the AfD and Linke both oppose EU sanctions against Russia in response to Moscow's campaign in Ukraine.

"I cannot understand that action," said Katja Mast, a senior lawmaker of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the ruling coalition.

"The indecency of Mr Schroeder's actions can hardly be surpassed," said conservative politician Thorsten Frei of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Former Chancellor Schroeder has not commented on his appearance at the Russian embassy. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman declined to comment on the incident on May 10.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and his wife at the Russian embassy in Berlin on the evening of May 9. Photo: Bild

Mr Schroeder, a member of the SPD, was chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005 and held senior positions at Russian oil giant Rosneft and Gazprom, the company in charge of building the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The former chancellor calls Mr Putin a close friend and they have spent hours discussing over drinks.

Former Chancellor Schroeder was stripped of some of the privileges afforded to former German leaders, such as an office and staff paid for by the government . He filed a lawsuit against the Bundestag in August 2022 over the decision.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin in November 2018. Photo: Reuters

Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Bild )

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