Gerhard Schröder

Profession: Chancellor of Germany

Nationality:

Biography: Gerhard Schröder is a German politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005. His term was marked by economic reforms, foreign policy decisions, and subsequent controversies related to his involvement with Russian companies.

Schröder began as a retail sales apprentice before obtaining his Abitur through night school. He then studied law at the University of Göttingen, and later worked as a lawyer, including for controversial figures like Horst Mahler.

His political career started with joining the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in 1963. Schröder was elected to the Bundestag in 1980 and became Minister-President of Lower Saxony in 1990, also serving on Volkswagen's supervisory board. He was a member of the SPD's shadow cabinet before becoming Chancellor.

As Chancellor from 1998 to 2005, Schröder led the SPD-Green coalition. Domestically, he implemented environmental policies, civil unions, and citizenship liberalization. The Agenda 2010 reforms altered welfare and labor.

Internationally, he was involved in Kosovo and Afghanistan and opposed the Iraq War, while maintaining strong relations with Russia. Economic difficulties characterized his second term, and SPD support declined.

After leaving office, Schröder's Russian energy company engagements, including Nord Stream AG and Rosneft, drew criticism. He resigned from Rosneft in 2022 after the Ukrainian invasion, facing legal scrutiny and SPD tensions. Schröder has been married five times and adopted two Russian children.

Born: April 7, 1944
Birthplace: Blomberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Age: 80 years old

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Aries