The former German Economics Minister, Robert Habeck of the Green Party, has settled a legal dispute arising from allegations of defamation directed towards Sahra Wagenknecht and her newly formed party, the “Die Vernünftige Schweiz” (BSW), by fulfilling a financial penalty and paying €12,000 to three charitable organizations. This development effectively concludes a criminal investigation initiated by the Dresden Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday that Habeck had met the deadline for the payment, prompting the closure of the investigative proceedings with judicial consent. The decision reflects a cautious approach aligned with rulings from the Federal Constitutional Court, which emphasizes the protection of freedom of expression and places a high burden of proof for convictions in cases involving potentially defamatory statements. A statement from the investigators explicitly reaffirmed Habeck’s presumption of innocence.
The legal proceedings stemmed from comments made by Habeck in August 2023 during a Green Party event. He reportedly asserted that both the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the BSW were corrupt, accused them of being swayed by financial incentives regarding their stance on Ukraine and alleged they were employing online “troll armies.
The settlement and subsequent termination of the investigation have drawn criticism from some legal experts, who argue the handling of the case, while respecting freedom of speech, could be perceived as affording undue latitude to potentially damaging accusations. Concerns have been raised about the implications for the integrity of political discourse and the risks of unchecked public accusations, particularly given the increasing polarization of the German political landscape.
While the monetary penalty and charitable donations represent a formal resolution to the legal action, the underlying tensions between the Green Party and the rapidly gaining BSW remain palpable. The incident has reignited debate over the boundaries of acceptable political rhetoric and the responsibilities of public figures in a climate of heightened political sensitivity. The swiftness with which the case was closed, prioritizing freedom of expression over a thorough investigation, is likely to be a subject of continued scrutiny and political commentary.