Schröder on Steinmeier: My Closest Collaborator

Newly designated SPD candidate for the German chancellorship, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, was former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's chief of staff during most of the latter's time in office, as well as the coordinator of the German intelligence services. He is widely reputed to have been the éminence grise responsible for some of the Schröder government's most famous policies: including, notably, its highly orchestrated campaign against the Iraq War.

An article written by the former Chancellor for the next issue of the SPD party organ "Vörwarts" [Forward] was widely quoted in the German press last week (see here, for instance). In it, Schröder had this to say about his colleague: "In my entire life, there is no one with whom I have worked so closely and in such confidence." Schröder added that he is "proud" of his party for having chosen Steinmeier and that Steinmeier "has what it takes to be [hat das Zeug zum] Chancellor."