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Schroder saves rent by living over office
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GERMAN Federal Chancellor Schroder is planning to move from a grand official residence in Berlin to a flat above his new office. He says he no longer wants to pay the rent and the cost of travelling to work in a chauffeur-driven car.
After being accused by opposition politicians of adopting too presidential a style, the chancellor seems to be trying to promote himself as a modest, cost-conscious man.
According to his officials, Mr Schroder wants to swap his quarters in the imposing official villa in Dahlem for a one-bedroom flat in Berlin's large new Chancellery building, where he will start work next month. The sixth-floor flat has a shower but no bath.
Chancellery official said: "Last minute discussions about moving in are being held. He pays a high rent at the moment and the cost of petrol for travel. He would avoid these if he moved." Some detect the hand of spin doctors keen to create a more earthy image for a man often associated a little too much with the high life, expensive suits and fat Cuban cigars.
German rules dictate that the chancellor, who earns more than ￡130,000 (US$ 186,225) a year, must pay rent on any government property he lives in. For his present three-room flat in the villa he is charged about ￡1,300 (US$1,862) a month.
The rent on the smaller Chancellery apartment, built for chancellors to rest in during the day or to sleep in if they stay late, is expected to be set at well under this sum.
(SD-Agencies)
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