Gerster Defies Bundestag Commission

The head of Germany’s Federal Labor Office has refused to show a Bundestag commission his controversial contract with a public relations firm on the grounds of third party privacy. Florian Gerster has recently come under pressure for allegedly misappropriating labor office funds by failing to advertise the contract for a planned image campaign, believed to be worth over €1,32 million ($1.53 million). On Friday, Gerster told the commission that the campaign was given to consultants at WMP Eurocom to avoid wasting three months looking for a partner. Critics say that the hearing left many questions unanswered. The commission is expected to meet again on Dec. 10. German Economics Minister Wolfgang Clement, who is in charge of the labor office, plans to attend the meeting.