In the mid-1970s they sat together in the Bundestag: the former SPD leader Müntefering and CDU politician Schäuble. They were political opponents, not enemies – even on the football field, said the 83-year-old in the daily topics.
The former SPD leader Franz Müntefering spoke to the late CDU politician Wolfgang Schäuble daily topics recognized as Democrats. Müntefering came to the Bundestag three years after Schäuble – in 1975. “At that time, after three years of Schäuble in the Bundestag, it was already clear: When he speaks, you better go there and listen to it.” The CDU politician was a good speaker who “heard a lot” and who had “exciting discussions.” “When Wolfgang Schäuble spoke, I was always there,” said the 83-year-old.
“A conservative, clearly too”
Müntefering was one of the few who used the first name of Schäuble. The CDU politician once described his companion as a “worker – on the football field as well as in politics.” Müntefering, in turn, called Schäuble a “smart, intelligent and consistent man.” He was a “democrat,” “quite clearly,” said the SPD politician – “a conservative, also quite clearly.” Schäuble made this clear “with everything he had at his disposal.”
There was “political opposition” but “no hostility,” said Müntefering. He and Schäuble respected each other – “That’s how we always met.” When it comes to the “central democratic questions,” we could rely on each other.