ceremony
Former Chancellor Schröder at a unity celebration
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) and his wife come to the Elbphilharmonie plaza for the German unity ceremony. photo
© Marcus Brandt/dpa
On German Unity Day, former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder mingles with his political colleagues. Is he a welcome guest?
On the edge in the second row: former chancellor Gerhard Schröder is no longer well-liked at many public events because of his loyalty to Russian President Vladimir Putin – but he was invited to the unity ceremony in Hamburg. The 79-year-old, who is sticking to his friendship even after Putin’s attack on Ukraine, appeared with his wife So-yeon Schröder-Kim in the Elbphilharmonie, just as he did before at the service in the “Michel”.
The couple took their seats in the “Elphi” very early on, in the second row at the very outside, with the former chancellor in the aisle. In the row in front: Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Left) as Federal Council Vice President, diagonally behind him in row three is his Schleswig-Holstein colleague Daniel Günther (CDU).
It is “okay” that Schröder is present at the ceremony as former chancellor, says Günther. “Nevertheless, it is always a disturbing feeling for me when you meet a person who has lost his way in his political views to such an extent that it is strange for someone who was once Chancellor of our country and who took the oath for Germany.”
When Federal President Frank Walter-Steinmeier enters the large ballroom of the “Elphi” and sits down in the middle of the front row, his and Schröder’s eyes seem to meet. Steinmeier greets, Schröder smiles, greets back – almost relieved.
Journalists are also astonished by the former Chancellor’s extremely red left eye. He is asked what about it as he leaves. “Just kindled,” he replies and moves on.