“Former Chancellor’s Enigmatic Health Situation Draws Attention”
BERLIN (AP) — The recent health crisis of former German leader Gerhard Schröder, known for his controversial ties with Russia, has sparked curiosity among the public. According to German news agency dpa, the 80-year-old Schröder is currently undergoing treatment for burnout at a hospital. Schröder, who served as Germany’s Chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and led the center-left Social Democratic Party from 1999 to 2004, has been under scrutiny due to his close connections with Russian state-owned energy companies and his perceived reluctance to distance himself from Russian President Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.
Reports suggest that Schröder’s health condition has been diagnosed as a severe case of burnout syndrome, characterized by extreme exhaustion and a notable lack of energy. His lawyer, Hans-Peter Huber, confirmed that Schröder has been admitted to clinical care on the recommendation of his physician. The former Chancellor’s absence was noted during a scheduled inquiry by a parliamentary commission in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania regarding the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which he chaired. The project faced setbacks as it never became operational and suffered damage from underwater explosions in the Baltic Sea in September 2022.
