Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who has faced significant criticism in recent years due to his close connections with Russia, is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital after displaying severe signs of burnout. The 80-year-old politician, who served as Germany’s leader from 1998 to 2005, also headed the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) from 1999 to 2004.
Schröder’s deep ties with Russian state-run energy companies, as well as his reluctance to fully distance himself from Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have led to his estrangement from Germany’s political establishment. Despite the growing controversy surrounding him, Schröder maintained a friendly relationship with Putin for years.
According to a doctor’s report, Schröder is suffering from severe burnout, with symptoms including extreme exhaustion, a lack of energy, concentration and memory issues, and sleep disturbances.
The report also mentioned that Schröder’s lawyer, Hans-Peter Huber, confirmed that the former Chancellor entered clinical treatment following his doctor’s recommendation.
The World Health Organization defines burnout as a condition caused by prolonged workplace stress that has not been effectively managed.
Schröder was scheduled to testify last month before a parliamentary inquiry in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania regarding the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which he had chaired. However, he did not attend due to illness.
Nord Stream 2, which was intended to transport gas from Russia to Germany, was never operational and was severely damaged in underwater explosions in the Baltic Sea in September 2022.