A Frankfurt court has imposed a €4,500 fine on a 50-year-old man who breached airport security and hugged German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the runway, after mistakenly joining his motorcade while under the influence of drugs.
The incident occurred in May 2023 as Scholz was preparing to depart Frankfurt for Berlin following the 25th anniversary celebration of the European Central Bank. According to court proceedings on Tuesday, the defendant—described as disoriented and intoxicated—said he had been partying for two days, consuming cocaine repeatedly, and had not slept when he inadvertently drove into the chancellor’s convoy on a public road.
Unaware of his surroundings, the man followed the convoy into Frankfurt Airport and parked alongside the official vehicles. As Scholz was about to board his plane, the defendant exited his car, approached the chancellor, shook his hand, and hugged him before police intervened and detained him.
Through his lawyer, the man claimed he believed he was simply following others in giving Scholz a warm send-off. He expressed regret over the situation, describing the experience as bittersweet, and assured the court he intended to improve his behaviour. The court ultimately found him only partially responsible for the offence.
He was convicted of trespassing and driving under the influence of narcotics.
At the time of the breach, Scholz’s spokesperson, Wolfgang Büchner, told reporters that the chancellor “didn’t feel threatened at any point.” Nevertheless, the incident triggered concerns over Scholz’s security arrangements.
Scholz’s tenure as chancellor is drawing to a close. Germany’s Bundestag is scheduled to meet on 6 May to elect Friedrich Merz as his successor, pending the ratification of a coalition agreement by parties in the proposed government.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
