Steinmeier distanced himself from Schröder and accused him of damaging Germany’s reputation
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has distanced himself from his former political partner, former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD), and criticized his years of work for Russian energy companies. “We traveled together for 15 years, I have walked my political path without him for 17 years. During this time, Gerhard Schröder made personal decisions that separated us.”said Steinmeier of “Bild am Sonntag.”
Much of what Schröder initiated during his tenure as chancellor has faded into the background because of his behavior after his term, Steinmeier said. This had not only a personal dimension for him, but consequences for the whole of Germany: “Gerhard Schröder’s commitment to Russian energy companies has left a lot of question marks in Europe, especially with our neighbors in Eastern Europe, also in relation to our country. That’s not good.”
Against Schröder, who was chancellor from 1998 to 2005, a process of party order is underway in the SPD because of his ties to Russia. There will be a first oral hearing on June 15. (AFP)
