German president slams ex-chancellor for close business ties with Russia

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has criticised the country's former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (in office from 1998 to 2005) for his business ties with Russia.

"Gerhard Schroeder's commitment to Russian energy companies has left many questions in Europe, especially with our Eastern European neighbours, and with our country too. It wasn't good," Steinmeier said in an interview published on June 12 with the local Bild am Sonntag newspaper, according to TASS.

Much of what Schroeder initiated as the head of the German government faded into the background due to his behaviour after leaving office. This, according to the German president, has consequences not only for Schroeder personally but for the whole country.

In the past, Steinmeier worked closely with his party friend Schroeder (both members of the Social Democratic Party of Germany SPD). Now, however, the German president has distanced himself from the former chancellor. "We walked the path together for 15 years, for 17 years I walked my political path without him," Steinmeier stressed. "During this time, Gerhard Schroeder made personal decisions that divided us," he concluded. This year, Steinmeier also did not congratulate Schroeder on his birthday.

In Germany, Schroeder is sharply criticised for close ties with Russia. Earlier, the budget committee of the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) approved the application of the ruling parties demanding to deprive the ex-chancellor of some of the privileges, which, under the law, are financed by taxpayers. Now the Schroeder Bureau will no longer be financed from the budget and the payment of salaries to its employees will stop. However, the ex-chancellor's monthly pension, which former heads of government receive, and the right to personal protection are preserved.