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Photo: DPA

Public funds '17 cars' for three ex-chancellors

Published: 12 Nov 12 08:45 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/money/20121112-46109.html

Gerhard Schröder has seven publicly funded, chauffeur-driven vehicles at his disposal, despite his highly-paid private work.

The Social Democrat swiftly moved from politics to lucrative business after losing office in 2005. He took up a well-paid job with Nord Stream, which operates a natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea - and which is majority owned by Gazprom.

The other former chancellors also have publicly funded transport, with Helmut Kohl having access to six cars including three Mercedes 600 SEL models, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Monday.

And Helmut Schmidt has access to four, including two fancy Mercedes 420 cdi cars which cost nearly €100,000 each.

The former chancellors' cars have cost the country €1.265 million in purchasing, repairs and use, since they were introduced, Der Spiegel said, although it failed to say how long the publicly funded transport had been available to them.

The federal police, responsible for the personal security of the former chancellors, said such measures were necessary to protect them.

Left MP Gesine Lötzsch said it was ridiculous - "One former chancellor, one car," she demanded.

The Local/hc

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

09:51 November 12, 2012 by BobbyBaxter
€1.265 billion !!!! For chauffeuring an duffer around ..... words fail me.
12:00 November 12, 2012 by Omufu
Not the best use of money. Especially not when you see the state of some of the public institutions around Berlin (like schools), and think about how many German children live in poverty.

I'm sure the Greeks will have a laugh :P
17:42 November 12, 2012 by Englishted
Corrupt on a grand scale ,far to friendly with Gazprom when in power.

I agree with Gesine Lötzsch one car each is more than enough,when you see the fat pensions they also receive ,but austerity is the new watchword for us but not for them .
18:48 November 12, 2012 by Zubair Khan
When it comes to those who govern or had governed the people, all seem to be sailing in same boat, be it developed, developing or under developed countries. Sad and unjust treatment of resources and facilities.
21:24 November 12, 2012 by bwjijsdtd
How about a VW, it's big enough to carry their fishing gear ...
22:28 November 12, 2012 by bhess
I think it's incumbant of the German government to protect their former leaders despite what you feel about them. I feel the same way of our President. If you didn't they would easily be targets for assassination. That would seriously hurt the country's prestige.

Bobby- It's 1.265 Million BTW.
15:29 November 16, 2012 by agbjr
If these former chancellors absolutely MUST have a taxpayer-supported car then supply them with a Trabant; one each and no chauffeur.
07:59 November 17, 2012 by bolly
Be reasonable folks. Each of these gentlemen had to endure state funded food, and lots of it. That impacted on their girth and weight, and their ability to walk. Therefore, a big limousine is essential. But, on second thoughts, a VW transporter suitably fitted out, would probably do the job as well. Seriously though, providing more than one state funded car is clearly over the top and not in keeping with the current economic climate. indeed, it is excessive, full stop!
19:45 November 17, 2012 by raandy
Its amazing how these last years news politicians keep living off the country.
16:46 November 19, 2012 by Floriansamsel
First, I thought this was a joke - but no!

It is high time for some reforms to cut these extras and I demand even more than the left: no car and no chauffeur for former chancellors. They don't need this extra bonus, the pensions are high enough.
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