Party order proceedings against Schröder: A question of the statutes

The indignation of many comrades is understandable. But there wasn’t much more in the party order process. Because the decision is a question of statutes, not morals.

Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder can remain in the SPD. The decision of the competent arbitration committee in Hanover is clear. Schröder can rub his hands at a time when hardly anyone wants to have anything to do with him. It is quite understandable that many comrades are more than outraged and want to knock their former idol off their pedestal – show attitude, hold up the moral compass.

Schröder’s statements are Schröder’s private affair

Why doesn’t the former chancellor distance himself from his buddy Putin? Why does he continue to support a despot who is currently laying waste to a country in order to realize his imperial dream of a Greater Russia with a barbaric war? Quite simply: Because Schröder wants it.

And from the point of view of the arbitration commission, he can do that too. Because there are high hurdles associated with being excluded from a party. The fact that Schröder is sticking to his friendship with Putin and staying on course with Russia still causes a stir, but is primarily his own affair.

The decision deserves respect, according to SPD state chief Weil – it doesn’t change anything about the assessment of Schröder’s behavior.

Commission sees no damage to the party

An expulsion from the SPD would only have been possible if Schröder had intentionally violated the statutes or seriously violated the principles or the rules of the party. And if this would have caused serious damage to the party.

The Arbitration Commission could not prove that. In other words, if Schröder had called for voting for the CDU or the Greens, things would have been simpler.

decision was predictable

However, categories such as morality, dignity or decency play no role in a party order procedure. And neither are they allowed to. And as painful as this sounds for one or the other: there wasn’t much more to this party order process. Even if being kicked out would have been balm for so many in the party.