Still open questions: Nighttime ultimatum - the CDU is counting Caroline Bosbach

Pressure is mounting on Caroline Bosbach. In a document sent overnight, the CDU in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district is demanding answers to the outstanding questions surrounding the cash scandal. It is also setting a strict deadline for the Bundestag member.

In a remarkable document, the CDU Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis (Rheinisch-Bergisch District) has clearly distanced itself from its own Bundestag representative, Caroline Bosbach. The outstanding questions regarding the cash scandal have "not yet been satisfactorily answered," according to a statement from the district association sent overnight into Tuesday. The party sets a strict deadline: The questions must be answered by August 8th.

This exacerbates the problem for Bosbach, who has been struggling with several public allegations for days. These include accepting €2,500 in cash handed over by a former CDU employee during the federal election campaign. Furthermore, according to reports from T-Online and the ARD program "Kontraste," Bosbach is said to have bought votes in an internal party election for the CDU's business wing, MIT, in 2023.

The CDU district association's written statement followed another crisis meeting, at which Caroline Bosbach once again failed to appear despite being invited. Instead, the 35-year-old attempted to counterattack on Monday with a short video on social media. In it, Bosbach denied having enriched herself at the expense of the CDU and described the allegations as "fabricated." Her lawyers had since admitted accepting the €2,500. Bosbach has since paid exactly that amount to the CDU.

Statement causes head shaking

Her video statement was met with some head shaking within the CDU. Several members of the district executive expressed their displeasure with the attempted explanation to RTL/ntv and the newspaper "Stern." An email from Bosbach to party members also "did not contribute to sufficient clarification," according to the party's late-night letter. It was criticized that Bosbach once again did not personally answer questions from the district executive at the current meeting.

In its statement, the CDU Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis is now issuing a tough ultimatum to its Bundestag representatives. The 35-year-old was asked several questions in writing, particularly regarding her acceptance of the €2,500 in cash. The district executive committee expects a response by August 8. A further assessment of the case is scheduled for August 9. Bosbach has been invited to this meeting again.

No appearances in the local election campaign

The district executive committee is particularly critical of the "suspicion of financial irregularities in election campaigns or internal party elections." This undermines trust in the party, contradicts its commitment to transparency and integrity—and, according to the implicit threat, could have consequences within the party. On July 15, shortly after the allegations became known, the executive board submitted all documents relating to the case to the Cologne public prosecutor's office. They are currently examining whether an investigation should be initiated.

In its letter, the CDU concludes by emphasizing that it will not tolerate "inappropriate or even illegal behavior," especially by elected officials. It regrets the irritation caused to members and the public. The district executive committee even welcomes the fact that Bosbach will not attend any events in the ongoing local election campaign in North Rhine-Westphalia until the matter has been fully clarified.