“The chancellery is thus not responsible for disclosing the details, because Schröder’s office, housed within the chancery, is an independent authority under press law,” the court said.
Schröder, who was chancellor from 1998 to 2005, is under fire for refusing to distance himself from Vladimir Putin after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That damaged the image of Germany, according to the Bundestag.
By May, the German parliament had revoked privileges from him. But the 78-year-old wants these privileges back, including his office in the Bundestag building and his staff. That is why he is now suing the German parliament.