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Germany's Schroeder mulls what to do next
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-18 10:21
Former German leader seeks employment. Good sense of humour and legal
expertise. Basic English but working to improve. Would consider moving to New
York.
Gerhard Schroeder has remained vague about what he will do after he hands
over as chancellor to conservative leader Angela Merkel next Tuesday, but he
appears to have no end of options.
Artist, New York banker, lobbyist, political consultant, corporate executive,
or newspaper publisher are just some of the avenues he is said to be
considering, according to media reports and people who know him.
Outgoing Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, left,
and Matthias Platzeck embrace during the party congress of Germany's
Social Democrats in Karlsruhe, Germany, Tuesday Nov. 15,
2005.[AP] | "I'm a free man in a free world," he joked in English this month on the
sidelines of a Social Democrats (SPD) congress in Karlsruhe, where he said a
tearful goodbye to the party he led into government in 1998 after 16 years in
opposition.
Schroeder, who will keep a seat in parliament for now, has said he wants to
work again as a lawyer after three decades in politics -- although no one
expects him to appear in court as a defence attorney soon.
Shortly after he lost the September 18 election, there were reports from
Moscow that the chancellor, who is a good friend of Russian President Vladimir
Putin, would become an adviser to Russian gas giant Gazprom. The stories were
quickly denied.
There has also been speculation that Schroeder might go to New York as a
banker.
"I'd like to get to know New York better one day," Schroeder told Reuters in
a 2003 interview before a trip to that city.
He had been invited to New York by Citigroup Chairman Sandy Weill at a time
when President George W. Bush would not even take Schroeder's calls because of
his outspoken opposition to the war in Iraq.
"My wife lived there for several years and loves the city," Schroeder, who is
now taking intensive English language lessons, said. "Our daughter was born
there and that obviously creates emotional ties. There's such a vitality in New
York."
"IN COMPLETE HARMONY"
Schroeder's biographer Juergen Hogrefe says the chancellor is waiting to see
what will come along.
"He's enjoying life right now," he said.
"He made a mark on history by positioning Germany as a force for peace and
having the courage to push economic reforms others put off. He's relaxed and in
complete harmony with himself."
A good story-teller, Schroeder has for years used his decidedly German humour
to win over crowds or disarm enemies. Headhunters have told German newspapers
his wit could help him fetch handsome fees as a speaker.
"I'm a very good lawyer," Schroeder told foreign
journalists in Berlin recently after giving his usual warning that a joke was on
the way -- arching an eyebrow and scratching the side of his nose.
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