Wolfgang Schäuble - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Wolfgang Schäuble is a German politician who has been a prominent figure in the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party for many years. He served as the Minister of the Interior from 2005 to 2009 and as the Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2017.
- 2. Schäuble was born on September 18, 1942 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. He studied law and economics at the University of Freiburg and the University of Hamburg.
- 3. Schäuble has been a member of the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, since 1972. He has held various positions within the CDU, including serving as the party's chairman from 1998 to 2000.
- 4. Schäuble is known for his conservative and pro-European views. He has been a strong advocate for European integration and has played a key role in shaping Germany's response to the eurozone crisis.
- 5. In 1990, Schäuble was the target of an assassination attempt by a mentally ill man who shot him in the face, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this, Schäuble continued his political career and has become a respected figure in German politics.
- 6. Schäuble is known for his tough stance on fiscal discipline and has been a strong supporter of austerity measures in response to the eurozone crisis. He has been criticized for his handling of the Greek debt crisis, with some accusing him of being too harsh in his approach.
- 7. Schäuble is also known for his role in shaping Germany's response to the refugee crisis that began in 2015. He supported stricter border controls and measures to limit the number of refugees entering the country.
- 8. In 2017, Schäuble was elected as the President of the Bundestag, making him the second-highest-ranking official in the German government. He stepped down as Minister of Finance after holding the position for eight years.
- 9. Schäuble is a controversial figure in German politics, with both supporters and critics. He is seen as a skilled politician and a tough negotiator, but also as someone who is not afraid to make unpopular decisions.
- 10. Despite his tough exterior, Schäuble is known for his sense of humor and his love of music. He is a talented pianist and has been known to play the piano at public events. He is also a fan of classical music and has been involved in various cultural initiatives in Germany.