By Ahmet Gencturk
ANKARA (AA) – Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has filed a lawsuit against the Bundestag, the national parliament, for withdrawing his official privileges, local media reported on Friday.
His attorneys Michael Nagel and Ralph Heiermann filed the lawsuit on Thursday evening with the administrative court in the capital Berlin, public broadcaster NDR reported.
A German parliamentary committee in May sought to revoke special privileges to Schroeder, who had been subject of fierce criticism for his ties to Russia. The committee ruled that he must give up his right to an office in the Bundestag, though he will continue to receive his pension and security detail.
Russia's war on Ukraine has generated strong public pressure on the former chancellor, who had described Putin as his "friend," to also break off relations with Russia's energy giants.
Speaking to the broadcaster, Nagel said: "In essence, it is a matter of establishing that the decision to deprive former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of his staffing is contrary to the rule of law."
It was blatantly unlawful that Schroeder was not heard during the proceedings of the parliament’s budget committee, which made the decision, he argued, adding that he only learnt about the relevant developments through the media.
Last week, Schroeder called for negotiations with Putin, saying "the good news is that the Kremlin wants a negotiated settlement."
He also urged Berlin to reconsider its position on the new Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is ready to begin operations but has been stymied by the German government.
The 78-year-old Social Democrat served as chancellor from 1998 to 2005.