Former German Chancellor Schroeder is suing the country’s parliament after it was stripped of some state privileges over its close ties with Russia.
Mr. Schroeder, who worked from 1998 to 2005, is no longer eligible to receive funds previously received for office space and staff.
The 78-year-old is now seeking the return of his benefits, according to his attorney Michael Nagel.
Schroeder’s relationship with Russian energy companies and President Vladimir Putin has come under close scrutiny after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Nagel said his client filed a lawsuit with Berlin’s administrative court on Friday, according to German news agency DPA.
The German Bundestag changed its rules in May, linking some of the privileges the former Chancellor receives to their actual duties.
But Nagel said the reasons for the rule change were clear and would not stand up to legal challenges.
Earlier this week, members of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP) rejected an offer to oust Schroeder.
The Hamburg commission said the former prime minister had “damaged the party” but his actions did not violate the commission’s rules.
After heavy criticism, Schroeder Resigned as director of Russian oil company Rosneft in May He said he had given up on the board of gas giant Gazprom.
But the former prime minister has refused to distance himself from Putin and recently met with the Russian leader during a visit to Moscow in late July.
Some of his staff have abandoned him in recent months, but he retains police protection and a pension as a former prime minister.
