GENEVA
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner is facing the loss of his parliamentary immunity due to a video speech by the politician on behalf of a bank, which in turn allegedly financed his house purchase, the daily Tagesspiegel reported on Sunday.
According to the report, the corruption department of the Berlin Attorney General’s Office is currently examining the lifting of Lindner’s immunity.
In the video, Lindner speaks a ministerial greeting for a private bank in Karlsruhe in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg, according to the report.
According to the allegations, Lindner is said to have concealed the fact that he himself financed his house through that bank, reportedly the BBBank.
The Tagesspiegel said he even had another loan given to him after the greeting. The politician is threatened not only with the lifting of his immunity but also with criminal proceedings for taking advantage.
Lindner has denied a connection between his house credit and the minister greeting, Tagesspiegel also reported.
The politician also said there was no obligation to disclose the private business relationship with the bank in the ministry.