German prosecutors probe Greens leaders over Covid bonus

Six board members of the German Greens party are being investigated over the payments

The special payments were thrown into the spotlight during last year's election campaign when Annalena Baerbock, who was running to become chancellor, drew criticism for not declaring them as a source of income. APShow less

German prosecutors have opened an investigation into the two leaders of the co-governing Greens, Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock, over reported special coronavirus payments, the party said on Wednesday.

Spiegel Online reported the start of the investigation into a possible illegal payments of 1,500 euros to Greens board members in 2020.

The allegations concern the approval of a “coronavirus bonus” given by board members to themselves in 2020, a representative for Berlin prosecutors was quoted by Spiegel Online as saying.

A Greens party representative said six board members, including Mr Habeck — the economy minister in Germany's new coalition — and Ms Baerbock — now foreign minister — were under investigation.

“The board members concerned and the [party's] main office are co-operating fully with the public prosecutor's office to clarify the facts quickly and comprehensively,” said the representative.

The so-called coronavirus bonus was paid to all employees at the party's main office and to board members, he said, but added that the board members had since re-paid the bonuses.

The special payments were thrown into the spotlight during last year's election campaign when Ms Baerbock, who was running to become chancellor, drew criticism for not declaring them as a source of income.

The Greens share power in a Social Democrat-led, three-way coalition with the pro-business Free Democrats.