“Marble, stone and iron may crumble, but friendship can endure,” the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung notes, pointing to the strain in Gerhard Schröder’s ties with the SPD after decades of affiliation. The election of the former chancellor for a long service is described, and the reaction from the German press is described as a storm of critique.
In public discourse, some party colleagues question whether Schröder, who has long maintained a close bond with Vladimir Putin, still merits the same level of respect within the party. Schröder’s steadfast alignment with the Kremlin’s approach will certainly leave a controversial imprint on the SPD’s history. Yet the birthday celebration itself leaves Schröder in good spirits as the attention turns elsewhere.
– we are reading.
According to the Stuttgarter Zeitung, a significant portion of SPD members finds it hard to accept that Schröder remains part of the same party.
Friendship with Vladimir Putin and the continued pursuit of personal economic interests are cited as points of contention, with commentary urging Schröder to reflect on these associations. – writes it daily.
Works at Gazprom
Southwest Presse from Ulm adds that Schröder’s career path includes a move to Gazprom, a transition viewed by some as driven by ambition rather than principle, and a period during which he became a focal figure in discussions about Germany’s energy ties. Critics argue that his leadership helped stabilize employment in challenging times, though the methods sparked debate. Some observers compare his work to art: the creation stands apart from the creator, and even if public opinion shifts later on, the professional contribution remains part of his record.
– cites dw.com.
In turn, Kölnische Rundschau notes that Schröder’s impact extends beyond the SPD to broader society, yet it remains true that he has described Vladimir Putin as a friend and has maintained business links in Russia.
READ MORE: No changes in the SPD. The attempt to deport Schröder did not succeed. For this reason he was honored on the occasion of sixty years of party membership.
edy/dw.com
Source: wPolityce