Germany's Elder Statesman Helmut Schmidt
Former Three Term Chancellor Turns Ninety This December
Dec 14, 2008
Helmut Schmidt, who turns ninety on December 23rd, is German’s elder statesman and a true “Renaissance” man, intimately involved in publishing and the arts. According to Sibylle Ahlers, Schmidt still today “is recognized across political boundaries as the best liked and loved of politicians.” [1] German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently quipped that Schmidt was, “the right chancellor for the wrong party and the wrong chancellor for the right party.” [2]
A Storied and Prescient Political Life
Providence affords capable and decisive men the opportunity to become great leaders and that played out for Helmut Schmidt in 1962 when, as a Hamburg State Senator, he mobilized NATO forces into action when heavy rains caused life threatening floods in North Germany. Although 318 people died, 100 RAF and Bundeswehr helicopters rescued thousands.
Several years later he was asked to join Chancellor Willy Brandts’ Cabinet, serving in a number of capacities including Finance Minister. In 1974 Schmidt led the SPD (Social Democratic Party) as chancellor, following the departure of Brandt. The three-term chancellor worked closely with the United States at the height of the Cold War and had the prescience to vision a closer European Union, working on programs with France’s Giscard d’Estaing that would eventually lead to the Euro.
In a 1979 Time magazine interview, Helmut Schmidt addressed the energy crisis, in which he proposed three steps involving public education of energy conservation, a shift from oil dependence to coal and nuclear energy, and the commitment to spend “large sums of money” in order to develop alternative energy sources that would, “enable us to avoid the CO2 consequences.” [3]
A Man for All Seasons
Highly visible despite his age, Helmut Schmidt gives interviews, is involved with the publication of Die Zeit, and is an avid pianist, performing with the Hamburg State Philharmonic Orchestra. The Deutsche Grammophon label carries several concert CDs featuring Schmidt.
An astute observer of world events, the former chancellor stated in November 2007 that “Russia poses far less of a threat to world peace today than, for example, the United States.” [4] Schmidt’s comment referred to American international isolation. Winning the war on terror “remains elusive” – according to the Der Spiegel, and, according to Gabor Steingart, “No one on the planet, not even in its remotest corners, is currently sending Bush the message that the world wants more of America.” [5]
A tribute to his home town, Hamburg, Helmut Schmidt has been married to his school “sweetheart,” Hannelore (Loki) since 1942. Both still smoke, a vice begun in very early years and for which Schmidt is frequently criticized. Yet as Germany’s elder statesman turns ninety, the world will still turn to him for sage advice and observations as to the future of democracy and what was once called “the free world.”
[1] Sibylle Ahlers, “90 Jahre und Kein bisschen leise: Deutschlands Altkanzel Helmut Schmidt noch immer aktiv in Weltgeschehen involviert” Das Fenster, #4, December 2008.
[2] Quoted in above.
[3] “An Interview with Helmut Schmidt,” Time (June 11, 1979)
[4] Gabor Steingart, “How Dangerous is America?” Der Spiegel (on-line) (November 20, 2007).
[5] IBID.
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