His concern about the global situation is expressed by Wolfgang Schäuble stressing that Germany’s prestige has been damaged, while he admits mistakes he and his party (CDU) made against of Russia.
Wolfgang Schäuble in an interview explains that he thinks it is still too early to rank the Angela Merkel among the “great chancellors” and defends his previous statement about a “second sweater” if it’s cold at home this winter.
“Germany’s prestige has been seriously damaged”says the former president of the Federal Parliament and for 50 years a Member of Parliament of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Wolfgang Schäuble.
“Never before have I felt that the world situation is as threatening as it is today“, he notes in an interview in today’s Handelsblatt paper and refers specifically to Russia. He acknowledges that both he and his party, as well as many in Germany, “did not want to see” the reality. From his time as Home Secretary, he says, he should have realized what was happening.
“I talked with my Russian counterpart then about how we could fight Islamic terrorism together. But I could just look at what Russia did in Chechnya. We could have even listened to the then president of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, who after Russia’s attack on Georgia warned that “first Georgia, then Ukraine, then Moldova, then the Baltics, then Poland”. She was right,” says Mr. Schäuble, who, however, does not blame the former chancellor for this policy.
“Democracy is not a bargain for opportunities”
“Angela Merkel wasn’t the only one who wanted cheap gas from Russia. The economy, the citizens, everyone accepted it gladly”, he added, as reported by the Athens News Agency, to point out as “remarkable” the fact that the former chancellor, in today’s positions, finds it difficult to admit that mistakes were made in the policy towards Russia .
Asked about Germany’s “great chancellors”, Mr Schäuble mentions Konrad Adenauer, Willy Brandt and Helmut Kohl. “The list is currently complete”, he emphasizes and mentions that it is still too early to judge whether Angela Merkel has a place on it. Regarding his stance during the refugee crisis, when, according to many, he could have brought down the chancellor, he declares: “Nonsense! I have always been of the opinion that the CDU is not allowed to topple its own chancellor.”
But Mr. Schäuble is also asked about his statement, “whoever gets cold, maybe wear a second sweater”, in view of a winter with an energy crisis, Mr. Schäuble defends his point of view: “It is wrong to make big promises to the world. Democracy is not a bargain for opportunity. We must expect more from citizens. What’s the problem with putting on a sweater if it’s necessary?” he replies.
Source: News Beast
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