The former German leader still holds positions in Russian companies and has still not resigned. A position that earned him ever more virulent criticism.
Article written by
Published
Update
Reading time : 1 min.
In Germany, the pressure is increasing on Gerhard Schröder. The former Social Democratic chancellor from 1998 to 2005 is being criticized for his links to Vladimir Putin and Russian groups as the invasion of Ukraine is underway.
>> Follow the evolution of the war in Ukraine in our live
Gerhrard Schröder must thus, in June 2022, join the supervisory board of the Russian giant Gazprom in principle. A new cap in the Russian energy sector for the one who is already chairman of the board of directors of Rosneft, the first Russian oil group, and of the shareholders’ committee of Nord Stream 2, a Russian-German gas pipeline suspended since the Russian invasion of Russia. ‘Ukraine.
Unlike other former European leaders like François Fillon or the Italian Matteo Renzi, the former German chancellor refuses at this stage to resign from his mandates. In the sights of his detractors, there is also his friendly relations with Vladimir Putin, whom he described as “perfect democrat” in 2004 – as well as its financial links with several Russian groups.
The former chancellor has become a cumbersome figure across the Rhine and calls for them to cut ties with the Kremlin are becoming more and more numerous. “He lost all moral credit by clinging to lucrative positions”, denounces a Bavarian parliamentarian. He is “the useful idiot” of Vladimir Putin explains another German MP, the boss of the conservatives, Friedrich Merz, and again he says, it is a “too friendly euphemism”.
Gerhrard Schröder will celebrate his 78th birthday in a month, but it’s already his birthday. In his party, the SPD, many voices now insist on his departure. The four employees who help him as former chancellor have asked to change their position in the Assembly, including the one who heads his office, the one who has been writing his speeches for him for twenty years. Gehrard Schröder is let loose on all sides. A question now arises: how long will he still last on his own?