Politics · Germany · 2 days ago
Niedersachsen SPD leader Stefan Politze resigns amid investigation
Stefan Politze has resigned as leader of the Social Democratic Party’s group in Lower Saxony’s state parliament.
The move came after the state parliament lifted his legal immunity while prosecutors investigate him.
His lawyer says the case is linked to allegations involving Berlin SPD group leader Steffen Krach.
Prosecutors are investigating the tender for a hospital in Lehrte, near Hanover, and Krach faces initial suspicions of accepting benefits in two cases; he denies the allegations.
Politze is suspected of helping with agreements that could restrict competition, but he says he is innocent and will cooperate with investigators.
Prosecutors have also confirmed an investigation into Adis Ahmetovic, head of the SPD in Hanover, but have not said what it concerns or whether it is linked to the hospital tender.
Politze said he resigned to reduce the strain on his party and allow the parliamentary group to continue its work; the investigations are ongoing, and the presumption of innocence applies.
Stefan Politze resigned as chair of the SPD parliamentary group in Lower Saxony after his parliamentary immunity was lifted amid a criminal investigation.
He said media coverage and the immunity decision were weighing on his office and the party, while maintaining that he was innocent.
His lawyer said the investigation is linked to allegations involving Berlin SPD parliamentary group leader Steffen Krach.
The investigation concerns a hospital tender in Lehrte, near Hanover; Krach faces an initial suspicion of accepting benefits in two cases and denies all allegations.
Hanover prosecutors also confirmed an investigation into Hanover SPD leader Adis Ahmetovic, but its subject and any link to the tender were not established.
- Who
- Stefan Politze, chair of the SPD parliamentary group in Lower Saxony, resigned.
- What
- He stepped down amid an investigation after the state parliament lifted his immunity.
- When
- He announced his resignation on the evening of October 8, 2026.
- Where
- Lower Saxony, Germany; the investigation concerns a hospital tender in Lehrte near Hanover.
- Why
- Politze said the immunity decision and recent reporting were burdening his office and the party, and that continuing debate could prevent the group from doing its work.
Politze and his lawyer
Investigators
Allegations
Politze and his lawyer
Politze is suspected of aiding anti-competitive agreements, according to the reports.
Investigators
Prosecutors are investigating in connection with a hospital tender in Lehrte.
Politze's position
Politze and his lawyer
He said he was convinced of his innocence and had nothing to reproach himself for, and offered full cooperation.
Investigators
The investigation is ongoing; the reports do not state a conclusion.
The lifting of my immunity and the reporting of the last few days about it are weighing on the office.
I am firmly convinced of my innocence.
The connection to this investigation complex is clear.
Not stated
The Lower Saxony state parliament lifted Politze's immunity.
Hanover prosecutors confirmed an investigation into Hanover SPD leader Adis Ahmetovic.
Politze announced his resignation at an extraordinary meeting of the SPD parliamentary group.
- Role
- Chair of the SPD parliamentary group in the Lower Saxony state parliament
- Investigation location
- Hospital tender in Lehrte near Hanover
- Politze's suspected offense
- Aiding anti-competitive agreements
- Krach allegations
- Initial suspicion of accepting benefits in two cases
- Ahmetovic
- Chair of the SPD in Hanover and a Bundestag member since 2021
Sources
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