A German politician who mobilized a protest against a now-sanctioned Russian resident of his resort town has attracted a following, but also angry emails and a threatening phone call.
This mirrors Germany's ambivalence to becoming a sanctuary for wealth in a culture that cherishes privacy but that critics say has allowed the mega-rich to squirrel away assets in secrecy.
His holding company USM, whose website describes Usmanov as an entrepreneur, investor and "one of the world's most generous philanthropists", did not respond to requests for comment. Two other companies he owns did not respond. Tomaschek says he received an email saying "shame on you" for demonstrating "against a Russian who clearly lives as a private person in Rottach-Egern". Another wrote: "Should anyone who has shaken Putin's hand be deprived of assets in Germany?"
"The whole history of Germany over the last few years has been one of unenthusiastic enforcement," Lohaus said. "Germany offers them all a safe haven for their dirty money. This has to stop now!" the Finanzwende petition reads. The finance ministry said in an emailed response to Reuters that it has been working on measures to clamp down.Part of Germany's problem with enforcement has been bureaucracy, with responsibility spread across ministries.
Last week the average price of homes in Rottach-Egern on a popular real-estate portal was more than 4 million euros, while the average taxpayer in the surrounding county pays 66% more income tax than those in the rest of Germany.