Overview
- On July 25 the CDU handed over bank records and internal chat logs to the Staatsanwaltschaft Köln as part of a widening inquiry into vote-buying in the Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion leadership election.
- Prosecutors have started reviewing the materials but have not yet announced any formal charges related to the allegations.
- Several MIT members have provided sworn affidavits stating that new recruits were promised or given cash in exchange for votes supporting Bosbach and her co-leader.
- A chat log published by ARD Kontraste and T-Online shows Bosbach expressing concern about insufficient votes shortly before the MIT ballot and asking if more members could be recruited for payment.
- Bosbach’s lawyers reject all allegations except a single documented sponsorship offer and a hearing on the related criminal allegations is scheduled for the end of the year.