Wolfgang Schäuble, a German politician And The Longest-serving Member Passed Away
Wolfgang Schäuble, a German politician and the longest-serving member of any democratic German parliament, passed away on December 26, 2023, at the age of 81. He served as a member of the Bundestag for 51 years, winning 14 direct mandates. Although he never held the highest office, he was a key player in German politics until the end. Schäuble was known for his financial acumen and was referred to as a “Sparfuchs” by world economic experts during his tenure as the Federal Minister of Finance.
He was also the creator of the term “Schwarze Null” (Black Zero), which he coined during his time as the Federal Minister of Finance. Schäuble’s career spanned several decades, during which he held various positions such as Kanzleramtschef, Innenminister, Finanzminister, Fraktionschef, Parteichef, and Bundestagspräsident. Despite his many accomplishments, he remained humble and content with his achievements. Schäuble will be remembered as a dedicated and influential politician who left an indelible mark on German politics.
Political Career of Wolfgang Schäuble
Wolfgang Schäuble was a German politician and statesman whose political career spanned more than five decades. He began his political career in 1969 as a member of the Junge Union, the youth division of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU). In 1972, he was elected to the Bundestag by winning the constituency seat of Offenburg, and he was still a member of the Bundestag in 2022.
Schäuble held various positions such as Kanzleramtschef, Innenminister, Finanzminister, Fraktionschef, Parteichef, and Bundestagspräsident. He was also the longest-serving member of any democratic German parliament. Despite his many accomplishments, he remained humble and content with his achievements. Schäuble will be remembered as a dedicated and influential politician who left an indelible mark on German politics.
Wolfgang Schäuble’s Resignation in 2000
Wolfgang Schäuble resigned as the Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 2000, less than two years after succeeding his mentor Helmut Kohl. The resignation was in the aftermath of the CDU party financing scandal, which involved illegal forms of party financing used by the CDU during the 1990s. The scandal included accepting hidden donations, the non-disclosure of cash donations, the maintenance of secret bank accounts, and illegal wire transfers to and from foreign banks.
Schäuble admitted to having accepted a six-figure donation for the CDU from arms dealer and convicted tax-evader Karlheinz Schreiber, which he had previously kept hidden. The scandal resulted in a loss of political influence for Schäuble and Kohl, with Angela Merkel and Roland Koch emerging as the most powerful German conservative politicians.
Awards
He was awarded several accolades throughout his career, including:
- 2014 Award for Understanding and Tolerance of the Jewish Museum Berlin
- 2015 Bambi Award
- 2016 Leopold Kunschak Prize
- 2017 Kissinger Prize
- 2017 Member of the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques
- 2019 Grand Officer of the Order of the Three Stars
- 2022 Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit
These awards are a testament to his contributions to the field of politics and his commitment to public service. The Award for Understanding and Tolerance of the Jewish Museum Berlin is a recognition of his efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding. The Bambi Award is a prestigious German media award that recognizes outstanding achievements in entertainment, culture, and media. The Leopold Kunschak Prize is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the social and political life of Austria.
The Kissinger Prize is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of international relations and diplomacy. The Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques is a French learned society that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the social sciences. The Grand Officer of the Order of the Three Stars is a Latvian state decoration that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the country’s development. The Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit is a Hungarian state decoration that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the country’s development.
Wolfgang Schäuble’s contributions to politics and public service have been recognized both nationally and internationally. His awards are a testament to his dedication and commitment to making the world a better place.
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