2023-12-27 10:48:16
Wolfgang Schäuble, on February 10, 2017, at the chancellery in Berlin. ODD ANDERSEN / AFP
He helped negotiate the reunification of Germany in 1990 and played a central role in the austerity efforts to pull Europe out of its debt crisis more than two decades later. Former German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble died at the age of 81 on the evening of Tuesday December 26, his family announced to the German press agency DPA on Wednesday.
Member of the Bundestag for half a century, Wolfgang Schäuble devoted the first part of his career to the reunification of Germany. From 1991 to 1998, he was the parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the conservative party of Helmut Kohl. He then became Chancellor Angela Merkel’s finance minister in 2009 until 2017, showing himself to be an uncompromising defender of budgetary austerity during the eurozone debt crisis.
Add to your selections Add to your selections
A longtime proponent of greater European unity, he helped lead a years-long effort to strengthen integration and establish tougher rules. Germany was then criticized for the importance it attached to austerity and for its lack of solidarity towards member countries.
After eight years as finance minister, Mr. Schäuble consolidated his status as an experienced statesman by becoming President of the Bundestag in 2017, until 2021, the last step in a long and prominent political career that saw him overcome discouraging setbacks.
The contributions area is reserved for subscribers.
Subscribe to access this exchange space and contribute to the discussion.
Contribute
#Wolfgang #Schäuble #German #statesman #finance #minister #president #Bundestag #died