Merkel's German Conservatives Face Tide of Misdemeanours

Home , Armin Laschet, Axel Fischer, Jens Spahn

FIG 1: Merkel’s German conservatives face tide of misdemeanours Alleged irregularities connected to Covid-19 and other cases, CDU/CSU March 2021

Parliamentarian Position Allegation Action

Axel Fischer Member of Bundestag, Allegedly received Parliamentary immunity CDU money from Azerbaijan lifted, March 2021. in exchange for voting Investigation continuing for pro-Azerbaijani at Munich state attorney motions and resolutions. office. Fischer rejected the allegations as false.

Mark Ex-Member of Alleged irregular Resigned from Hauptmann Bundestag, CDU lobbying assistance for Bundestag March 2021. Azerbaijan.

Hans-Jürgen Member of Bundestag, Alleged use of influence Denies wrongdoing. Irmer CDU to procure mask order for Hesse firm for Berlin health ministry. Possible compensation from placing of advertisement in a newspaper run by Irmer.

Armin Laschet North Rhine-Westphalia Laschet’s son Johannes Order cancelled Prime Minister, CDU allegedly helped December 2020 Chairman, Member of organise uncontested because of doubts over NRW parliament (non-tendered) procedure. New tender November 2020 organised. Van Laack procurement from Van took part in tender, in Laack textile firm (for March 2021 announces which he worked as a action for damages if model) of 1.25m masks order not confirmed. with NRW logo for NRW police force.

Nikolas Löbel Ex-Member of Admits receiving Resigned from Bundestag, CDU €250,000 commission Bundestag March 2021, for procuring Chinese with immediate effect, masks for Baden- will leave politics. Württemberg firm in April 2020, using parliamentary connections.

Georg Nüßlein Member of Bundestag, Alleged non-tax Denies wrongdoing. CSU, Ex-Deputy Chair, payment on receipt of Munich state attorney CDU/CSU parliamentary €660,000 commission office conducting formal grouping via a Liechtenstein bank investigation. Resigned account of an offshore from CDU/CSU Caribbean firm for grouping March 2021. procuring protective masks for Bavarian government and Berlin health ministry.

Jens Spahn Health Minister, Mem- Allegedly met a dozen TV interview on 20 ber of Bundestag, CDU. party donors in Leipzig October 2020 pointing Armin Laschet’s running for private fund-raising to infection threat mate in CDU’s Janu- dinner, 20 October from unauthorised ary 2021 chairmanship 2020, defying pandemic gatherings. Spahn’s election rules on household parliamentary office gatherings. Tested confirms ‘private dinner’, Covid-positive on 21 claims rules upheld. October 2020.

Purchased villa in summer Denies receiving 2020 in prosperous favourable conditions. Berlin suburb of Dahlen, Takes legal action to allegedly with loan from prevent journalists Westmünsterland savings from probing details of bank where Spahn purchase from official was supervisory board Berlin registration member in 2009-15. agency.

Karin Strenz Member of Bundestag, Alleged receipt of Denies wrongdoing. CDU payments from Investigation continuing Azerbaijan for at Frankfurt state parliamentary influence. attorney office.

Klaus-Peter Member of Bundestag, Celebrated 60th Admits ‘didn’t set a good Willsch CDU birthday in February example’ but denies 2021 with home party, breaking any rules. allegedly breaking rules on isolation. No suspicion of any financial wrongdoing.