State parliament lifts immunity of Culture Minister Clemens

The Saxon state parliament has lifted the immunity of Culture Minister Conrad Clemens (CDU). The background to this is a case at the district court in Weißwasser concerning a traffic offense. A debate on the case was not planned in parliament. Immunity is generally to be waived in the event of violations of traffic regulations.

Clemens was flashed at 81 km/h in a 30 km/h zone

Clemens was banned from driving for two months and fined in 2023 during his previous position as State Secretary and Plenipotentiary of the Free State of Saxony to the Federal Government. He had been flashed at 81 kilometers per hour in a 30 km/h zone in Krauschwitz in eastern Saxony - at a retirement home. Clemens admitted that he had been speeding and described it as a mistake.

At a hearing, judge Alex Theile recently proposed that the case be dropped in exchange for a fine of 10,000 euros. In addition, Clemens was to attend a traffic rehabilitation seminar and give at least 20 hours of traffic lessons at schools. However, neither the public prosecutor's office nor the defense agreed to the proposal.

Paving the way for criminal proceedings

If the immunity is lifted, the way is clear for criminal proceedings. Originally, the case concerned misdemeanor proceedings. The court gave Clemens and his defense lawyer a legal indication that the traffic violation could also be considered a prohibited motor vehicle race. As a result, criminal proceedings are now underway.

The parliamentary committee for rules of procedure and immunity matters had recommended that the immunity be lifted. As a member of parliament lodged an objection to the recommended resolution within the deadline, the plenary had to decide on it. Without the objection, the recommended resolution would have been sufficient.