Despite the requirement of neutrality
Claudia Pechstein probably did not ask for permission before her CDU appearance in uniform
Federal police officer Claudia Pechstein wore her uniform during her appearance with the CDU
© Michael Kappeler / DPA
Two weeks ago, the professional athlete and federal police officer Claudia Pechstein appeared at a CDU convention – in uniform. According to her own statements, she wants to have coordinated this detail with her superiors. But according to the media, the Ministry of the Interior disagrees.
Pechstein himself had stated that he had consulted both a federal police union representative and a supervisor prior to the appearance. She was therefore free to appear in uniform.
Allegations against Claudia Pechstein
The parliamentary director of the Greens parliamentary group, Irene Mihalic, told the editorial network Germany (RND): “Apparently neither Claudia Pechstein’s superiors nor the Federal Ministry of the Interior knew anything about her planned appearance in uniform at the CDU party convention.” This contradicts their previous public statements.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior must now quickly carry out the announced official examination. This is also “to send an unmistakable signal to the federal police not to instrumentalize the uniform and the official status for party political purposes,” emphasized Mihalic.
New CDU chairman
The long fight against Merkel: The political life of Friedrich Merz in pictures
The Greens politician added: “With regard to the role of the CDU and Friedrich Merz, the question remains open as to whether Claudia Pechstein was at least suggested to appear in uniform with the aim of the corresponding staging.”
Uniform misused for party political purposes?
Pechstein’s appearance two weeks ago triggered widespread criticism. In addition to the uniform, that was also due to the content of her speech, in which she was supposed to talk about strengthening club and school sports. Pechstein also addressed general political issues. She called for faster deportations of rejected asylum seekers and was critical of gender language. The appearance is currently being examined under official law. CDU leader Merz described the speech as “brilliant”.
The President of the Federal Police, Dieter Romann, recently sent a letter to the officers. In it, he warned not to gamble away the confidence of the citizens in the neutral exercise of their duties by the Federal Police.