The decision to provide former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with a personal office and a staff of eight has sparked criticism from both far-left and far-right factions. Critics argue this is unnecessary, especially given that Scholz did not complete a full term. They question the justification behind such a large staff and whether it represents effective use of taxpayer money. However, government officials argue that Scholz's continued expertise is vital amid ongoing foreign policy challenges, especially concerning the war in Ukraine.
"But what eight employees are supposed to do for an ex-chancellor who has not completed a full term of office remains completely unclear and is nothing more than a waste of tax money," he told Die Welt newspaper.
"They don't need their own court for life," he said. "The offices must be dissolved."
Former German chancellors and presidents are traditionally given their own offices for life after their terms end, on the grounds that they can never simply retire and become private citizens again.
Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said that Scholz's expertise would still be required, as the war in Ukraine was "still a really central foreign policy and security policy issue."
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