Dismay, sadness and respectful memories: The death of Wolfgang Schäuble affected many people. The Chancellor, the Federal President and Angela Merkel also have their say.
He was Federal Minister of the Interior, Federal Minister of Finance, a member of the German Bundestag for 50 years and even its President from 2017 to 2021: Wolfgang Schäuble has played a key role in shaping German politics over the past decades. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel once said of him: “Wolfgang Schäuble is a stroke of luck for German and European politics.” After his death Political friends and competitors reach out with tributes and condolences. An overview.
Companions mourn Wolfgang Schäuble
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD): “Wolfgang Schäuble shaped our country for more than half a century: as a member of parliament, minister and President of the Bundestag. With him, Germany is losing a sharp thinker, passionate politician and controversial democrat. My thoughts are with his family today.”
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD): “With Wolfgang Schäuble, we have lost a great person and passionate politician who achieved historic things for our country,” writes Steinmeier in a letter of condolence to the widow Ingeborg Schäuble. The CDU politician was “a stroke of luck for German history”. “A rich life has now come to an end – the work of this outstanding statesman and person will endure,” explains the Federal President. Politics was Schäuble’s “elixir of life.” Nobody in the history of the Federal Republic has been a member of the Bundestag longer than him.
President of the Bundestag Bärbel Bas (SPD): “Very sad news,” says Schäuble’s successor as head of parliament, describing the death announcement on the X platform. “My thoughts are with his family and friends. My sincere condolences.”
CDU-Boss Friedrich Merz: The news fills him with great sadness, Merz writes on
CSU chairman Markus Söder: The CSU is mourning Schäuble, explains the Bavarian Prime Minister on “The CSU will honor his memory.”
Green Party leader Omid Nouripour: “He was a giant of parliamentarism and a defining figure for our country for decades. His place in the history books is certain. My thoughts are with his wife and children. They will miss him. We will all miss him.”
AfD chairman Tino Chrupalla: “Wolfgang Schäuble shaped federal politics and the German Bundestag for decades. He bore the consequences of a serious assassination attempt with dignity, tolerance and a sense of duty. In personal conversations he was always open and friendly. My deepest condolences to his family!”
“His commitment to Berlin as the capital was historic”
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU): “I mourn the loss of a politician who shaped our country in many ways,” Merkel said in a statement. “We will miss Wolfgang Schäuble’s voice in Germany, and I will personally miss his advice.” Conversations with him were always intellectually enriching. “I admired his discipline, even towards himself, which he demonstrated despite and with his paraplegia after an assassination attempt. He became a role model for millions of people.”
Dietmar Bartsch, last co-leader of the left-wing faction in the Bundestag: “Wolfgang Schäuble was an outstanding democrat. Our positions were often diametrically opposed. His commitment to Berlin as the capital was historic. In the last week of the meeting he said to me: ‘It goes up and down in politics, always think about yourself. ‘ RIP”
Central Council of Jews in Germany: “We mourn the loss of Wolfgang Schäuble. He dedicated his life to the service of our country and was a close friend of the Jewish community in Germany. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SDP): “With Wolfgang Schäuble, we are losing one of the most important democrats in our republic. He was a great statesman and embodied democratic post-war Germany like few others. As the then Federal Minister of the Interior, he was an architect of unity. His word carried great weight. My deepest condolences go out to his wife , his children and his entire family. We mourn the loss of a great personality who will be greatly missed by us and our country.”
CDU federal treasurer Julia Klöckner: “Wolfgang Schäuble was an exceptional person, an impressive thinker and speaker, a loyal and critical colleague. He shaped our country as a minister, as President of the Bundestag, as a politician who conscientiously fulfilled his duty and service.”
Former Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU): “Europe is losing a great statesman. I am losing my most important mentor and a fatherly friend. My thoughts are with his family. Rest in peace, Wolfgang Schäuble.”
CDU politician Lukas Kilian: The transport policy spokesman for the state parliamentary group in Schleswig Holstein pays tribute to Schäuble with an anecdote. “When I ran for the state parliament for the first time in 2017, Wolfgang Schäuble came to support me. The visitors’ forum in Glinde was packed. Schäuble joked and massively exceeded the end time set by his office,” writes Kilian on X. “An unforgettable evening.” While he himself went home late, Schäuble still had to travel to Berlin. At breakfast he saw him live on the morning magazine on ARD and ZDF. “He didn’t spare himself. For me, Wolfgang Schäuble is and remains living history, a convinced European and an upright democrat! May he rest in peace.”
Voices from abroad are also having their say
French President Emmanuel Macron: “Wolfgang Schäuble was a friend of France. He strengthened the ties between our countries. He contributed to German reunification, the development of the euro and European unity. I welcome his commitment. My condolences go out to his relatives and the German people.”
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank:“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Wolfgang Schäuble. He was one of the most influential European politicians of his generation. I personally witnessed his commitment to Europe, his intellectual rigor and his statesmanship. My thoughts are with his family.”
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “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. Not only Wolfgang Schäuble’s intellect and his discipline were outstanding, but… also his deep respect for democratic discourse and his ability to always get involved in new things. I will miss his wise advice.”
Note: This article has been updated several times.