Boris Palmer is no longer making any public appearances for the time being

“I was approached by parliamentary groups in the local council about the request to temporarily suspend my public appearances as mayor,” writes the non-party city hall boss in a statement, which the dpa news agency and “Südwest Presse” report on, among others. The reason is a public prosecutor's investigation into allegations made by a former city councilor.

“In the interest of trusting cooperation with the local council, I am complying with this wish,” the 54-year-old writes in it. "Until the public prosecutor's investigation is completed, I will limit myself to running the city's business and not make any public appearances of a political or representative nature."

It was initially unclear whether a conversation planned for the evening with the former “Welt” editor Ulf Poschardt would also be canceled in light of the announcement. Palmer wanted to talk to Poschardt in Tübingen "about freedom of expression, pressure to conform and the state of public discussion."

Participation in local council meetings only upon request

As the newspaper writes, it was confirmed from local council circles that there were such demands from the council to the mayor. Among other things, the board's council of elders dealt with the case. According to the report, Palmer also sent the statement to the council.

Palmer has been facing allegations of sexual harassment since last week. A former Tübingen local councilor had published a post on Instagram that Palmer allegedly grabbed her breasts against her express will and without being asked.

Palmer denies allegations

The Tübingen public prosecutor's office is examining the initial suspicion of criminal behavior. The matter should be investigated ex officio, it was said. The presumption of innocence applies. Palmer denies the allegations. These are “baseless”, he will defend himself and is considering legal action.

"I will cooperate fully with the public prosecutor's office and do everything I can to fully clarify the matter," Palmer told the dpa when asked. Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) wanted to integrate Palmer into his government as a volunteer bureaucracy advisor. Özdemir did not want to comment in more detail on the allegations on Tuesday. "I'm not the judge, I'm not the public prosecutor," said the Green politician in Stuttgart. There are orderly processes and procedures for this in the constitutional state. This is all being checked now.