Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder celebrated his 80th birthday, receiving congratulations from current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in a letter. Despite breaking ties with Schröder due to his continued friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the SPD leadership made an exception for his milestone birthday. Schröder, who was born on April 7, 1944, in Mossenberg, remained loyal to Putin even after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, causing a rift within the party.
Schröder, who served as Chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and as SPD Chairman from 1999 to 2004, has faced criticism for his close ties to Putin and his work as a lobbyist for the Russian energy industry. Although several SPD branches called for his expulsion from the party, a proposal for this action failed last year. In the lead-up to his birthday, Schröder publicly criticized the current SPD leadership, describing them as provincial and claiming he would have resigned if the party’s popularity had dropped to 15 percent. Despite the ongoing tensions, Schröder still received birthday wishes from Scholz and the SPD leadership.
In contrast to his 70th birthday celebration, which was marked by a special event at a museum in Berlin, Schröder opted for a private celebration on his 80th birthday. The guest list for the celebration, which will take place in Berlin on April 27, remains undisclosed, with Schröder joking that his wife is in charge of the guest list. Despite the differences and controversies surrounding his relationship with Putin, Schröder’s milestone birthday was acknowledged by former colleagues and friends, including President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who sent him warm regards and best wishes for his health and family.
Steinmeier, who served as Schröder’s Chancellor’s Chief of Staff from 1999 to 2005, sent a brief letter of congratulations to Schröder, expressing his best wishes for his special day. The ongoing rift between Schröder and the SPD leadership over his support for Putin and his role as a lobbyist in the Russian energy sector remains unresolved. Despite the disagreements, Schröder’s 80th birthday serves as a reminder of his lasting impact on German politics and his continued presence in the political landscape, even after his time as Chancellor. The private celebration in Berlin reflects Schröder’s desire for a more intimate gathering with close friends and family.
