In a long-awaited conclusion, the German Green Party has wrapped up its investigation into the alleged MeToo scandal surrounding former Bundestag member Stefan Gelbhaar, with the outcome being that the ombudsman procedure will not be continued and that a definitive clarification in the matter is unlikely.
The party’s internal commission, established to investigate the allegations, has published its report, along with a statement from the party’s leadership, which the German news magazine Stern has reported on. The report acknowledges that the ombudsman procedure, intended to provide a confidential and internal conflict resolution mechanism, was never designed to deliver a final verdict on the truth of the allegations.
The Greens also admit that the ombudsman, initially intended as a confidential and internal conflict resolution mechanism, had already become a target for potential political instrumentalization before it was even involved in the case. The party’s leadership notes that the impression was created that anyone seeking to influence the party’s list of candidates for the upcoming Bundestag election would need to go through the ombudsman, a notion that was unintended and unfortunate.
Ultimately, the Greens have concluded that they failed to live up to their responsibility to all parties involved, being “structurally overburdened” in this complex case, which was further complicated by the time pressure before the Bundestag election, inaccurate media reporting and a lack of confidentiality in the process.
The party’s leadership has stated that they have taken the time needed to investigate the complex case, but acknowledge that the process has been lengthy and burdensome for all parties involved. The Greens have also emphasized that they cannot and will not fulfill the wish for a definitive and final clarification in the sense of rehabilitation or punishment, as the case has raised important questions about the equal coexistence of party members, respect for the boundaries of others and the reflection of power imbalances that arise from political positions.
The party’s leadership has announced that it will not take a clear stance on the matter, as the decision on personnel matters ultimately rests with the party’s local assemblies. The report of the internal commission has also revealed that most of the allegations against Gelbhaar do not concern criminal behavior, but rather perceived boundary violations and that some of the allegations were aimed at preventing Gelbhaar’s candidacy in the upcoming Bundestag election, rather than seeking a confidential clarification between the parties involved.
The Greens have expressed gratitude to the commission’s leaders, Anne Lütkes and Jerzy Montag, for their work and have announced that they will establish a working group to restructure the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms. The party’s leadership has emphasized the need for clear procedures and resources to navigate the tension between protecting victims and upholding legal standards and has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of respect and appreciation for the boundaries of others within the party.