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Mourner Macron in the Bundestag: Remembering Wolfgang Schäuble

Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa

Wolfgang Schäuble was a central figure in German politics for over half a century - as head of the Chancellery, minister, CDU leader, Bundestag President and most recently as the longest-serving member of the Bundestag, of which he was a member for 51 years.

Now the CDU politician who died on Boxing Day was remembered at a memorial service in the Berlin Cathedral and an act of mourning in the Bundestag.

Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) opened the state ceremony for her predecessor.

"The commemoration is taking place on the anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, he would have liked that," said Bas.

The treaty was signed 61 years ago and is still considered the basis of German-French friendship today.

»Germany is losing a great democrat and statesman.

Europe a thought leader.

And France has a special friend,” Bas continued.

She particularly thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for coming.

This friendship was particularly important to Schäuble, Bas recalled.

Exactly six years ago to the day, he spoke in the French National Assembly and advocated for a joint chamber with the Bundestag.

The German-French Parliamentary Assembly is “his legacy for German-French friendship.

Schäuble had achieved historic things for Germany, said Bas and recalled his achievements as an architect of German unity.

Schäuble was “the consummate public servant” – “for him, the rule was always: first the office, then the person.

In the end he had become an authority – across party lines,” said Bas.

Macron speaks German

French President Emmanuel Macron gave the first part of his eulogy in German and opened with the words: “Germany has lost a statesman.

Europe has lost a pillar.

France has lost a friend." He called Schäuble a "great European."

Schäuble's desire to have a Frenchman speak in the Bundestag says a lot about his trust in France and Germany.

“We bow to a European statesman”

The CDU chairman Friedrich Merz also paid tribute to Schäuble in a speech.

»We bow to a true statesman of our country, to a European statesman, to a controversial democrat, to a defining personality of our country's recent history.

Thank you, Wolfgang Schäuble,” said Merz.

He also referred to Schäuble's role in Europe.

Cooperation with France was particularly important to Schäuble, said Merz.

"He knew about the historical significance and about our special responsibility together with France." Schäuble never tired of pointing out again and again that Germany had "responsibility in and for Europe" but also needed trust in Europe.

Memorial service in the Berlin Cathedral

Before the state mourning ceremony in the Bundestag, the memorial service for Schäuble took place in the Berlin Cathedral.

The Protestant Bishop Kirsten Fehrs paid tribute to the exemplary role of the former President of the Bundestag.

With his “courage of hope,” the CDU politician gave strength to an incredible number of people, she said in her sermon.

Fehrs called Schäuble an “impressive anti-populist” who was needed especially in these times.

»An anti-populist and at the same time a person who has put himself entirely, with all his strength, passion and dedication, into the service of our community and our democracy.

And who achieved so many things with his willpower.

What would our country look like now if such a far-sighted politician like him hadn't negotiated the German unification treaty?"

In addition to the Schäubles family, the heads of the five constitutional bodies took part in the mourning ceremony, especially Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Numerous political companions also came - including former Federal Presidents Joachim Gauck, Horst Köhler and Christian Wulff, former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the former Bundestag Presidents Rita Süssmuth and Norbert Lammert (both CDU).

Schäuble died on December 26th at the age of 81.

He was buried in his hometown of Offenburg.

czl/dpa