Wolfgang Schäuble has made German history. As a member of the German Bundestag, as a federal minister and as President of the Bundestag, he has played a key role in shaping the course of our democracy for more than five decades: the negotiation and signing of the Unification Treaty in 1990 was a great moment in the history of our country and certainly in his political biography; the decision to move the seat of government to Berlin in 1991 and the stabilization of the euro during the debt crisis after 2008 will always be associated with his name. As President of the Bundestag, he used his authority and experience to promote the culture of parliamentary debate and to represent the Bundestag with confidence. He served our country with great distinction through his decades of political and social commitment. With his characteristic sense of duty, he returned to his ministerial office only a few weeks after the assassination attempt against him. He remained committed to our country and our democracy until the end.

Wolfgang Schäuble earned great respect and recognition at home and abroad, especially within the CDU/CSU, but also across the political spectrum. He was an exceptional figure in German politics. His versatility, perseverance and assertiveness are just as extraordinary as the unprecedented length of his parliamentary career. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung will remember Wolfgang Schäuble with gratitude.

Deutscher Bundestag / Achim Melde

17 December 2013: Oath-taking by the Federal Ministers of the Federal Government of the 18th electoral term. President of the Bundestag Prof. Dr Norbert Lammert, (right), CDU/CSU, administers the oath to Dr Wolfgang Schäuble, (left), CDU/CSU, Federal Minister of Finance.