Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder won't be sanctioned by his political party because of his ties with Russian state-owned companies, local media reported on March 2. The dpa news agency and others cited a decision by the ruling Social Democratic Party's regional committee in Hannover rejecting bids to punish Schroeder for his involvement with Russian state energy companies Rosneft and Gazprom as well as with Nord Stream AG, which operates undersea gas pipelines that were damaged by explosions last year. Schroeder was chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and the Social Democrats’ leader from 1999 to 2004. To read the original story by AP, click here.
German Party Won't Punish Gerhard Schroeder For His Russia Links
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (left) hugs Russian President Vladimir Putin at the opening of the soccer World Cup in Moscow in 2018.