Schröder has confronted sturdy criticism for his continued ties to Russia, which included seats on the boards at Russian state power corporations, and for his bromance with Putin, who he has met no less than twice since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022.
“We should not assume in black and white classes,” Miersch instructed Stern. “I will pay tribute to his life’s work, particularly as chairman of the Hanover district, even when I’ve a essentially completely different view of Putin and the assault on Ukraine.”
Schröder — who ran Germany between 1998 and 2005 — “achieved rather a lot,” together with staying out of the U.S.-led warfare in Iraq, the all-day college program and the legalization of registered same-sex partnerships, stated Miersch. Like Schröder, the brand new secretary-general hails from the northern German metropolis of Hanover.
With reference to Russia, Miersch stated present SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz was prepared to talk to Putin, who had to this point declined his provides, whereas including that “talks and deterrence are two sides of the identical coin.”
The SPD has lengthy sought to stroll a high-quality line between touting Germany’s strong army assist for Ukraine and depicting itself to its center-left base as a “peace occasion” with a pacesetter who is aware of tips on how to maintain Russia’s warfare from spiraling uncontrolled.