Investigations against Habeck: Does the end of his political career threaten him?

Investigations against Habeck: Does the end of his political career threaten him?

Dresden, Deutschland - The Dresden public prosecutor has an investigation against Dr. Robert Habeck, member of the Bundestag (MdB). The occasion of these investigations are statements of Habeck during an election campaign speech on August 30, 2024 in a cinema in Dresden. In doing so, he is said to have accused the AfD and the movement for social justice (BSW) to be financed by Moscow and to build troll meals to influence and buy votes. These statements have resulted in a criminal complaint from the BSW boss Sahra Wagenknecht, accused the habeck of the defamation. Loud KN-Online Is there an initial suspicion of the defamation in accordance with paragraph 188, paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code and the (paragraph 188, paragraph 1 StGB.

Member of the Bundestag like Habeck generally enjoy immunity law protection against law enforcement. However, this immunity can be canceled if the acts are suspected. The Bundestag's immunity committee advises on the relevant applications, which must then be coordinated in the plenary. In Habeck's case, the abolition of immunity was rejected on June 5, but the public prosecutor can investigate an investigation into defamation without the approval of the Bundestag, which has already been done. However, approval is required for procedures due to the guessed speech, which is now not available. These legal framework is also anchored in the Basic Law, which, as the Tagesschau , should ensure that MPs can carry out their mandate without politically motivated criminal charges.

political dimension of the investigation

Habeck has not yet commented on the ongoing investigation, his office refers to an explanation of his defenders. In a civil law procedure, Habeck recognized that his statements were "a little too much". This is in the context of his numerous criminal applications for insults during his ministerial period, more than 800 of which have been placed in the past. Wagenknecht accuses Habeck of knowingly spreading lies about a political competitor. MDR reports that the public prosecutor's office has reported that in his speech, "in his speech has" incorrect factual facts "about the BSW and Wagenknecht expressed. A controversial point in defense is the legal classification of Habeck's statements as a permissible expression.

The legal challenges about the immunity of parliamentarians are complex and show the balance between political freedom and legal responsibility. In Germany, not only the Bundestag, but also the MPs of the state parliaments, enjoys immunity, but this is no longer necessary under certain conditions, for example during arrests during or after the crime.

The current events throw a light on the difficulties with which politicians are faced with when they publicly comment on political opponents. While the public prosecutor has to act on the basis of the circumstances mentioned, the question arises as to whether political pressure may be behind the investigation, especially in view of the proximity of the current procedure on the political debates within Germany.