Gerhard Schröder

:This article discusses the Social Democratic German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. For the 1950s/1960s CDU politician with the same name, see Gerhard Schröder (CDU).

Political activity

Domestic policy

Schröder's Red-Green Alliance government achieved a reputation for some progressive policies — for example, the funding of renewable energies, liberalising homosexual partnerships, and trying to prevent the Bundesländer from introducing tuition fees. Nevertheless, even North Rhine-Westphalia, under a SPD government, has introduced tuition fees, if only for longtime students. Most voters associate Schröder with the Agenda 2010 reform program, which includes cuts in the social welfare system (national health insurance, unemployment payments, pensions), lowering taxes, and reforming regulations on employment and payment (Hartz I — IV).

Related Topics:
Red-Green Alliance - Bundesländer - Agenda 2010 - Hartz I — IV

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After the 2002 election, Schröder's SPD party steadily lost support in opinion polls. Many increasingly perceived Schröder's third way (die Neue Mitte) program to be a harsh dismantling of the German welfare state. Germany's unemployment rate - a legacy of reunification - has also been a lingering problem for the Red-Green government.

Related Topics:
2002 - Third way - Reunification

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The fact that he served on the Volkswagen board (on behalf of being minister-president of Lower Saxony) and tended to prefer pro-car policies has led to his being nicknamed the "Auto-Kanzler" (car chancellor).

Related Topics:
Volkswagen - Minister-president

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Foreign policy

Prior to Schröder's Chancellorship, no German military troops had served outside NATO territory since the end of the second world war. Schröder sent forces to Kosovo and to Afghanistan.

Related Topics:
German military troops - NATO - Kosovo - Afghanistan

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With Germany having a long experience with terrorism itself, Schröder declared solidarity with the United States of America after that country became the victim of terrorist attacks in September of 2001.

Related Topics:
Terrorism - United States of America - 2001

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Along with French President Jacques Chirac, Schröder spoke out strongly against the war on Iraq during 2003, and refused any military assistance in that enterprise. Whilst re-affirming the Franco-German alliance, Schröder's stance gave rise to political friction between the U.S. and Germany, as Germany had a reputation as one of Washington's most important and intimate allies since the end of World War II. Schröder's opposition to the invasion of Iraq had multiple reasons; primarily it reflected popular opposition to the war, especially among the SPD voters and supporters of its coalition partner.

Related Topics:
French - Jacques Chirac - War on Iraq - 2003 - World War II - SPD

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In addition to a friendly relationship with Chirac, Schröder has cultivated close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an attempt to strengthen the "strategic partnership" between Berlin and Moscow, including the opening of an oil pipeline over the Baltic exclusively between Russia and Germany.

Related Topics:
Russian - Vladimir Putin - Berlin - Moscow

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Relations with some European countries have sometimes become strained due to Schröder's alleged "powerplay"; examples are Austria, the Czech Republic and Spain.

Related Topics:
Austria - Czech Republic - Spain

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Political style

In the first years of his government, Schröder became known as the Medienkanzler (chancellor of the media). He also gained a reputation for governing by commissions. After several changes in his cabinet, growing resistance from the now CDU-dominated Bundesrat, and eroding popularity, Schröder's style changed to something based largely on the authoritative power of the chancellor's office.

Related Topics:
CDU - Bundesrat

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