German politicians call former chancellor Schröder's new position in Russia a "betrayal"
A number of German politicians and economists have criticised former chancellor Gerhard Schröder's appointment to a senior position at Globus, a hypermarket chain operating in Russia.
Source: DW, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Roderich Kiesewetter, a Bundestag member and foreign policy expert for the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU), called Schröder's new position a "betrayal of Europe and his own country".
"Anyone who publicly and demonstratively shakes Schröder's hand is thereby seeking to show their position," Kiesewetter stressed.
Thomas Jäger, a professor of political science at the University of Cologne, said that Schröder had "received a new lobbying assignment" in Russia.
Jan Schnellenbach, German economist and microeconomics professor at Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, accused the former chancellor of "shamelessness".
"Didn't they say he was too ill to appear before a German court? Does Russian money have healing powers?" he said.
Background:
- It was previously reported that Schröder will be responsible for "supporting the strategic development" of Globus's business in Russia.
- The 82-year-old Gerhard Schröder served as chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005 and led the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) from 1999 to 2004. He has faced years of criticism for his close ties with Russia and his work for Russian energy companies.
- After the full-scale war began, he never distanced himself from the Kremlin. Most recently, in January 2026, the former chancellor spoke in favour of resuming energy cooperation with Russia and called for Russia not to be demonised despite its aggression against Ukraine.
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