ZAdmittedly, it is still not easy for us to follow Putin’s request. But since everyone should do their bit to keep the peace these days, we too jump over our shadows. So then: Thank you, Mr. Chancellor!
What is meant here is not our incumbent head of government, we will come to that later. First of all, what was the Russian President’s greatest concern in the press conference with Scholz, the services of Chancellor Schröder to our gas bill must be acknowledged. According to old custom, Schröder can still be addressed that way. Once Chancellor, always Chancellor.
It’s only thanks to his foresight, as Putin pointed out, that we don’t have to pay five times as much for our gas as… who actually? Probably the Hungarians, for whom their prime minister negotiated a handsome estate in Moscow. What would Putin ask of Orbán in return? Certainly not something as thankless as judicial reform.
Russia still appreciates Schröder’s services
So when it comes to gas, we save a lot of coal. And we’re grumbling about the few hundred thousand euros that Schröder’s office and driver cost us? Ingratitude is the German wage. Luckily Schröder doesn’t give a damn about this envy discussion! He can even be elected to Gazprom’s board of directors without any regard for his reputation, so he can do even more for us. And also improve his meager pension a bit. In Russia, Schröder’s services are still appreciated. Putin said he was a reasonable person, whom he respected. We can’t think of anyone else he would say that about.
So that Germany doesn’t have to be reminded again by the Kremlin what a respectful person Schröder is, every gas bill should always state what we would have to pay without his intercession. Then surely everyone would be willing to pay a few cents per cubic meter for Schröder’s office (Schröder levy). And then we might see Putin with different eyes, like those who understand Putin have always done.
Putin will see what he gets out of it
Given Putin’s generosity on gas, we really have to ask ourselves whether we should be so petty about Moscow’s legitimate security interests. Let’s be honest: Aren’t the Ukrainians, at least those in the East, basically Russians? If they really want to go home to the Reich, don’t you have to respect their right to self-determination? What do those ungrateful folks somewhere in the Urals care anyway, whom we’ve already sent so much money (and helmets!) to? Let Putin get them! He’ll see what’s in it for him.
We Germans in particular always had only zores with the intermediate Europeans. Like now again in the EU. However, as the Bavarian Prime Minister Söder stated, Russia is “not an enemy of Europe”. You really have to thank God for everything, including the clear view of Middle Franconia.
Merkel would have resisted the temptation
So, now finally to Scholz. In his case, we waited in vain for Putin to ask us to pay homage. That was probably because Scholz even preferred to use the word Nord Stream 2 than the name of “a former politician” who only spoke for himself. Of course, Schröder’s buddy in the Kremlin didn’t like this cold at all. And then Scholz also allowed himself the subtle comment on the endless tenure of the landlord. A Russian would have gone straight to the camp for that, as suggested by Putin’s Siberian smile. Merkel, he must have thought, would have resisted the temptation.
Yes, the chancellor is missed by many who would not have expected it, for example by Erdogan, the Left Party and – no, not by Merz. Did you see how smitten Merkel was in the Federal Assembly? A pointer from her, and not Steinmeier, but she would have been chosen. But she doesn’t seem to be aiming for a comeback. Merkel is not stupid. In view of the domestic and foreign political situation, she has to thank the Lord three times a day that she is retired.
#Fraktur #Gerhard #Schröder
