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German Bundestag member Thomas Bareiß faces an ongoing investigation by the Hechingen public prosecutor’s office after a blood test detected a synthetic narcotic following a serious car crash on July 12, according to official statements. The 51-year-old politician announced a personal leave of absence and stepped down from local party leadership roles, though regional youth wing officials argue these steps fall short.
Investigation and Crash Details on the B27
The crash occurred on July 12 on the B27 between Hechingen and Balingen, involving two vehicles, according to police reports cited by the public prosecutor’s office. A driver on the left lane collided with a car on the right lane, causing his vehicle to overturn. Emergency responders transported him to a hospital with severe injuries.
The public prosecutor’s office in Hechingen is investigating Bareiß on initial suspicion of negligent traffic endangerment and negligent bodily injury. Police secured the politician’s driver’s license late last week, according to prosecutors. The 50-year-old driver of the second vehicle and two female passengers aged 40 and 47 also sustained injuries and received hospital treatment.
Bareiß told the Schwäbische Zeitung that he does not remember the collision itself. “I still have the image in the back of my mind of seeing the firefighter upside down pulling me out of the car,” he said in the interview.
Political Consequences and Leave of Absence
Through his attorney, Bareiß released a personal statement addressing the incident and announcing his political retreat. “I have made decisions in the recent past that I very much regret and that do not meet the standards rightly placed on me,” the 51-year-old stated.
Bareiß expressed relief that the crash did not result in more severe consequences and apologized for the strain placed on his family and environment. He plans to use the Bundestag’s non-sitting period to focus on his health and will let his role as district chairman of CDU Württemberg-Hohenzollern rest without running for re-election.
Bareiß has served in the Bundestag since 2005 representing the Zollernalb-Sigmaringen constituency. He previously served as parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy from 2018 to 2021, holding responsibility as the federal government’s commissioner for tourism and small and medium-sized enterprises. In the current legislative period, he serves on the Budget Committee.
Junge Union Criticism and Mandate Demands
While Bareiß retains his presumption of innocence under the law, the Junge Union Zollernalb stated that his apology does not go far enough. “A mandate in the German Bundestag is not an asset, but primarily represents an advance of trust by the voters of his constituency,” the youth organization said in a public statement.
The group argued that political integrity is distinct from criminal liability and criticized Bareiß for retaining his seat. “Thomas Bareiß should have shown personal greatness in his statement and also resigned his Bundestag mandate,” the statement read, characterizing his decision to take a temporary leave as a delaying tactic. The Kreisverband confirmed it will maintain its resignation demand beyond the duration of Bareiß’s planned leave of absence.
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