Wolfgang Schäuble, an exceptional political figure, has passed away at the age of 81. He was a member of the German federal parliament for over 50 years, chief of staff for German chancellor Kohl, former interior and finance minister, chief of party of the Christian Democratic Union of German and president of the Grerman Bundestag.
Schäuble symbolised an authoritative figure who put duty at the heart of his priorities. He served as an exemplary role model for those close to him and for everyone who collaborated with him throughout his life, including Jean-Claude Juncker.
Indeed, amid the eurozone crisis and the Greek government-debt crisis, the former European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, actively sought expert counsel from Wolfgang Schäuble, who was regarded as a significant political figure at that time. Despite differing opinions on the Greek crisis, their relationship remained strong.
Schäuble started his political career in 1961. In 1990, during an election rally shortly after German reunification, he was shot twice in a terrorist attack. The assailant’s actions left him paralysed from the waist down, compelling him to use a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Just six weeks after the incident, Schäuble returned to work, declaring that his career was far from over.
Although he was interior and finance minister and even president of the Bundestag, he was never chancellor nor president of Germany.
Jean-Claude Juncker was profoundly saddened by the passing of Wolfgang Schäuble, a close friend who is, unfortunately, no longer with us.
Fréieren däitschen Innen- a Finanzminister: Wolfgang Schäuble am Alter vun 81 Joer gestuerwen
