A great loss for the world of politics in Germany: politicians mourn Wolfgang Schäuble after his death.
Former Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble (1942-2023) is dead. The CDU politician died on Tuesday evening at the age of 81 at home with his family. German politics is mourning the loss of its longest-serving parliamentarian – he only celebrated his 50th anniversary as a member of the German Bundestag on December 13th. The world of politics bows to the native of Freiburg (Breisgau).
Steinmeier on Schäuble: “Politics was his lifeblood”
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (67) wrote to the widow Ingeborg Schäuble (80): “With Wolfgang Schäuble we have lost a great person and passionate politician who achieved historic things for our country.” He was a “stroke of luck for German history” and visionary. In addition, he never lost sight of what was important.
“Politics was his lifeblood,” it continues. Schäuble enjoyed the greatest respect across all party lines – “whether as party or faction leader, whether as Chancellor’s Office Minister, Interior Minister, Finance Minister or President of the German Bundestag.” Steinmeier praised Schäuble as a “very sought-after advisor” and “outstanding statesman.”
Angela Merkel mourns the loss of her “political teacher”
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (69) expressed great shock at the news of the death of her party colleague. “With him, Germany is losing an outstanding personality with political and programmatic foresight,” writes Merkel. “I mourn the loss of a politician who shaped our country in many ways. He was one of the architects of German unity.” As a young minister, Schäuble was her “political teacher.” “Conversations with him were always intellectually enriching for me.” Germany will miss his voice, she will miss his advice personally.
Angela Merkel’s successor, the current Chancellor Olaf Scholz (65, SPD), also praised Wolfgang Schäuble’s “impressive and very long political career.” Scholz further wrote: “Germany is losing a formative Christian Democrat who liked to argue and yet never lost sight of what politics is about: making the lives of its citizens better.” also as a “sharp thinker, passionate politician and controversial democrat”.
CDU leader and Union parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag Friedrich Merz (68) expressed his sadness in a statement via with his family, especially with his wife Ingeborg.”
“A serious loss for Germany and Europe”
Other political voices expressed their condolences to Schäuble’s family. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (43), as well as Green Party leader (48), Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (55, SPD) and in other statements (57, Greens), (44, FDP), (53, SPD) and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (65). “Wolfgang Schäuble’s death is a serious loss for Germany and Europe. Through his actions and his example, he shaped German democracy like no other. He always thought big and far ahead,”
Wolfgang Schäuble leaves behind Ingeborg Schäuble, with whom he was married since 1969, as well as their four children and four grandchildren.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
