German and French politicians have honored the deceased former Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU) with an obituary. “With great gratitude for his life’s work, we will honor Wolfgang Schäuble’s memory,” says the obituary, which was to be published today on ntv.de. The signatories include France’s Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde. “We bow to a great German, a great friend of France and a great European.”
Today’s act of mourning in the Bundestag with French President Emmanuel Macron is “more than an appreciation of great achievements”, it is a mission and an appeal: “A mission to us as politically and socially responsible people to fill the European visions with life in close partnership. And appeal to all young people to carry forward this European idea with enthusiasm.” The obituary concludes in French with thanks from the bottom of our hearts: “Merci du fond du cœur, Wolfgang Schäuble!”
The Bundestag members Andreas Jung (CDU), Franziska Brantner (Greens) and Michael Link (FDP) initiated the obituary. It was signed by current and former board members of the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly from the Bundestag and the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the French Parliament.
At the state mourning ceremony in the plenary hall of the Bundestag, alongside Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) and CDU chairman Friedrich Merz, Macron will also give a eulogy. Around 1,500 guests from home and abroad are expected, including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Federal Council President Manuela Schwesig (SPD).
