The Berlin Administrative Court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by another party against the Bundestag administration: The federal CDU, represented by Prof. Dr. Christofer Lenz, Dr. Henrike Schulte, and Dr. Maximilian Stützel, does not have to pay a penalty of €2.4 million for large donations from a real estate entrepreneur. The court confirmed that there was no violation of the Political Parties Act.

The decision: Neither could any inadmissible expectations or quid pro quo be established as a result of the donation, nor was there any connection with specific demands made on the CDU prior to the 2021 Berlin House of Representatives election. The court concurred with the Bundestag administration’s assessment that the donations were lawful and their use permissible.

This outcome also highlights the importance of precise and independent scrutiny in party financing law. Our team’s extensive experience in proceedings relating to party donations was once again a decisive factor in this case.

Press release of the Administrative Court of Berlin (in German only)

Report by Tagesschau (in German only)