Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - Greens and CDU are open to setting up a committee of inquiry into the affair surrounding Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU), among other things - but they do not want to support the title "abuse of power" proposed by the opposition. From the point of view of the parliamentary groups, this is unconstitutional, as the German Press Agency learned on Wednesday. In an amendment, you want to propose a different title that focuses on the practice of promotion in the police force. In addition, the end of September 2023 is to be set as the final deadline for the committee. Then the Greens and CDU want to agree after the appointment.
The factions of the SPD and FDP had voted in their meetings on Tuesday for the establishment of a committee of inquiry, the presidium of the state parliament put the appointment on the agenda that evening. If the state parliament votes on the appointment, two parliamentary groups are sufficient for the appointment. The committee is to examine not only Strobl's behavior, but also police promotion practices and sexual harassment.
Deputy Prime Minister Strobl is under massive pressure because he forwarded a letter from a high-ranking police officer's lawyer to a journalist. The official is being investigated for sexual harassment and has been suspended from work. In the letter, the lawyer for the police officer offered the top executive a personal interview with the accused officer.
Strobl saw it as a "poisoned offer". By passing on the letter, he wanted to ensure "maximum transparency" and prevent the other side from launching the letter and being accused of cheating. The public prosecutor's office is investigating against the journalist on suspicion of prohibited reports about court hearings and against Strobl on suspicion of inciting this.
