The comfortably boring "grand" coalition under Forever Chancellor Merkel (CDU) was jolted out of the Sotchi watching routine over the past few days.
It began with the surprise resignation of an SPD rising star politician and member of parliament, Mr. E., for health reasons. Since he had been out sick for several weeks, the surprise was tempered with some genuine worry.
A day later, on Monday, the police searched the home and office of the man. A reporter form a tiny local newspaper was present, tipped off by persons unknown.
The leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) expressed their concern and called for a speedy appropriate investigation into as yet unknown allegations.
Then one of them referred to allegations of child pornography, saying she had read this in the media.
A couple of days later, it is revealed that the whole SPD leadership knew of an investigation since last October. Mr. Oppermann, the SPD whip, then said that the chief of the Federal Police had confirmed the investigation in a phone conversation.
Said the Chief: No, no, Mr. Oppermann called me and told me what he had heard. I did not confirm or volunteer any information.
As if this was not enough of a bombshell, it was revealed that the then interior secretary Friedrich (CSU) informed the social democrats during the negotiations for a new govermnent (Oct. 2013) that Mr. E. was under investigation.
Said the Friedrich: There was no talk of a criminal investigation, so it was quite okay to pass on information of "political importance".
We have provided a short version here. The circle of folks who knew since last October seems to be growing by the minute.
And the search?
One computer and some destroyed hard disks.
The prosecutor still has not released information on the allegations.
[Update] The prosecutor held a press conference this morning. The events look weirder again...the merits of the case may rest on "ambiguous wording" of the law.
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