Horst Seehofer

Seehofer made a motorway toll effectively targeting mainly foreign motorists a flagship CSU pledge. Despite warnings about its compatibility with EU law, the project proceeded before being invalidated by the Court of Justice of the EU in 2019. Parliamentary hearings subsequently reignited debate over political and financial responsibility for the project.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

Following a highly provocative satirical column about the police in taz, Seehofer announced that he would personally file a criminal complaint against its author. The threat was criticised as disproportionate and potentially intimidating to press freedom. He ultimately decided not to file the complaint, preferring to refer the matter to the Press Council and pursue dialogue.

Attribution

Political responsibility

Following the international debate over police racism, Seehofer refused a study specifically focused on racial profiling by the federal police, arguing, among other things, that such practices were already prohibited and rejecting the idea of a structural problem. The decision prompted strong criticism from academics, politicians and civil society organisations. The government subsequently announced a broader study of racism in society and institutions.

State of the evidence

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No legal proceedings

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Political responsibility

Shortly after taking office as Federal Interior Minister, Seehofer declared that 'Islam does not belong to Germany', while adding that Muslims living in Germany were part of the country. The phrase provoked strong controversy and Angela Merkel explicitly contradicted it.

State of the evidence

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No legal proceedings

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Political responsibility

Seehofer sought to impose the rejection at the border of certain asylum seekers already registered elsewhere in Europe. Merkel refused unilateral action, triggering a government crisis during which Seehofer threatened to resign from his ministerial position and the CSU leadership.

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No legal proceedings

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Political responsibility

Seehofer remarked ironically that a flight had deported 69 Afghans on his 69th birthday. The statement provoked widespread outrage, intensified when it emerged that one of those deported had died by suicide after his return. Seehofer expressed regret over the suicide.

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Personally implicated

Following the events in Chemnitz, Seehofer declared that migration was 'the mother of all political problems' in Germany. The phrase was widely condemned as a populist and stigmatising generalisation, including by coalition partners.

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Personally implicated

Seehofer supported Hans-Georg Maaßen, president of the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz, despite controversy over his statements about Chemnitz. The initial agreement to transfer him while promoting him to State Secretary sparked another coalition crisis before being abandoned in favour of an advisory position and eventual departure.

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Command responsibility

As Bavarian Minister-President and CSU leader, Seehofer launched a political offensive against Angela Merkel's refugee policy, demanding an upper limit, denouncing a 'Herrschaft des Unrechts' and considering a constitutional challenge against the federal government. The confrontation deeply divided the CDU/CSU Union.

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Political responsibility

During the contest to succeed Edmund Stoiber as CSU leader, Seehofer's extramarital relationship and the birth of a child outside marriage became public, provoking a personal and political crisis in a party associated with conservative family values. Seehofer accused internal opponents of exploiting his private life, and the conflict included threats of reciprocal revelations.

State of the evidence

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Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Political responsibility