Politics · Germany · 23 hrs ago
Berlin SPD pays party leader’s private lawyer in investigation
The Berlin branch of Germany’s Social Democratic Party is paying for party leader Steffen Krach’s private criminal defence lawyer.
The lawyer is representing him in an investigation by prosecutors in Hanover, in Lower Saxony.
The case concerns alleged agreements that restricted competition during a hospital sale and an alleged demand for party donations.
Krach denies the allegations, and the presumption of innocence applies.
His lawyer is said to charge about €500 an hour, and the total bill for the party could reach six figures.
A constitutional law expert has described the payment as legally problematic.
The party has also paid €11,000 towards Krach’s move to Berlin.
The investigation is ongoing; no further steps are specified.
Berlin’s SPD is covering the cost of party leader Steffen Krach’s private criminal defence in an investigation by prosecutors in Hannover.
The investigation concerns alleged anti-competitive agreements over a hospital sale and an alleged demand for party donations.
Krach rejects the allegations, and the presumption of innocence applies.
His lawyer is said to charge about €500 an hour, and the total bill could reach six figures.
A constitutional law expert described the party’s decision to cover the costs as legally highly problematic.
- Who
- Steffen Krach, leader of the Berlin SPD.
- What
- The party is paying for his private criminal defence in an investigation.
- When
- The report was published on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- Berlin; the investigation is being conducted by prosecutors in Hannover.
- Why
- The investigation concerns alleged anti-competitive agreements over a hospital sale and an alleged demand for party donations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Party leader
- Steffen Krach
- Paying for defence
- Berlin SPD
- Investigation
- Prosecutors in Hannover
- Lawyer’s reported rate
- About €500 per hour
- Possible total legal bill
- Six figures
- Previous relocation payment
- €11,000
Sources
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