Gerhard Schröder - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Gerhard Schröder was born on April 7, 1944 in Mossenberg, Germany. He grew up in a working-class family and was raised by his mother after his father was killed during World War II.
- 2. Schröder joined the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in 1963 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest member of the Lower Saxony state parliament in 1970.
- 3. In 1998, Schröder was elected as the Chancellor of Germany, defeating Helmut Kohl and ending the 16-year rule of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He served as Chancellor until 2005.
- 4. During his time as Chancellor, Schröder implemented a number of significant reforms, including the Agenda 2010 program which aimed to modernize the German welfare system and labor market.
- 5. Schröder's government also pushed for economic and social reforms, such as reducing unemployment benefits and increasing the retirement age. These reforms were controversial and led to protests and criticism from some parts of society.
- 6. In foreign policy, Schröder took a strong stance against the Iraq War, refusing to support the United States-led invasion in 2003. This decision was unpopular with some allies, but won him support at home.
- 7. After leaving office in 2005, Schröder went on to work in the private sector, serving on the boards of several companies and working as a consultant for the Russian energy company Gazprom.
- 8. Schröder has been married four times and has two daughters. He is known for his flamboyant personality and love of motorcycles, often appearing in the media riding his Harley-Davidson.
- 9. Despite his political successes, Schröder has faced criticism for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his role in promoting the Nord Stream gas pipeline project, which has been controversial in Europe.
- 10. In recent years, Schröder has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of his successor Angela Merkel and her policies, particularly on issues such as immigration and the European Union. He remains a prominent figure in German politics and continues to be a divisive figure in the country.