The letter that sealed Patricia Schlesinger's departure as head of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg went to the RBB Broadcasting Council shortly before 7 p.m. on Sunday evening: "I hereby waive (...) the continuation of my employment relationship," Schlesinger wrote. This step is “infinitely difficult” for her.
Schlesinger did not justify it with misconduct that she had to admit to herself: the overpriced service Audi with massage seats at a list price of 145,000 euros, for example, which she afforded, the dinners in her private apartment at the expense of the fee payer or the questionable consultancy contracts which she recently had to give information to the Berlin state parliament.
But with the fact that the "personal allegations and defamation" against her had "taken on a dimension that makes it personally impossible for me to continue to exercise the office". It's obvious: someone has lost measure and center - but self-criticism? none.
That's not the most annoying thing about the director's resignation letter. This formulation in your lines is particularly striking:
"This waiver takes place in accordance with the aforementioned contractual regulations, taking into account a notice period of six months to the end of the month with effect from February 28, 2023. I am happy to shorten this notice period in mutual agreement with the RBB if it is ensured that this is the case is a contractual waiver (...). I or my lawyer have already made a proposal to you in this regard.”
In plain language, this means that Schlesinger is still trying to secure as much fee money as possible while resigning. It only resigns immediately if it is financially compensated accordingly. A golden handshake action.
Schlesinger was once a respected journalist. She was a reporter and later presenter for the TV political magazine "Panorama" - in whose contributions the corrupt of the republic were agitated. That was a long time ago, two decades. Apparently enough time to forget what values used to drive you.
