Posted on 10/12/2005 12:13:45 PM PDT by prairiebreeze
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who has led Germany since 1998, said for the first time on Wednesday he would not play a role in the next government, in an emotional farewell including broadsides at the United States and Britain.
"I will not be a part of the next government — definitely not be part of it," a tearful looking Schroeder told a rapt audience of union members in his home city of Hanover.
He quickly composed himself, hitting his stride in a passionate defense of a strong German state and lashing out at "Anglo-Saxon" economic policies favoured in Britain and the United States, which he said had "no chance" in Europe.
In an apparent reference to Hurricane Katrina, Schroeder castigated Washington for liberal, hands-off policies that left it exposed in times of crisis. The Bush administration was widely criticised for its response to the devastating storm.
"I do not want to name any catastrophes where you can see what happens if organised state action is absent. I could name countries, but the position I still hold forbids it, but everyone knows I mean America," he said to loud applause.
Schroeder was speaking two days after his Social Democrats (SPD) said he was ready to step down to allow conservative leader Angela Merkel to front a power-sharing government of their two parties.
Her conservatives narrowly beat Schroeder's SPD in a September 18 general election, but failed to win enough seats to build a majority with their preferred coalition partners.
Schroeder, who has been urged by some members of his party to stay on as vice-chancellor in a new government, hinted on Tuesday evening he would not stay on but had not ruled it out publicly before.
CLASHES OVER IRAQ
Schroeder clashed with Britain and Washington in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion and has been at odds with British Prime Minister Tony Blair over the direction of European economic policy.
Blair has urged European Union countries to cut back state influence on the economy, running into fierce opposition from both Schroeder and his ally, French President Jacques Chirac.
You pathetic little man.
Schroder read his morning fax from Howard Dean it seems.
Sooooore Looooser!!
Bye, bye Schroeder. Don't let the Berlin wall hit you on the way out.
If a catastrophe the size of Katrina hit Germany, this POS would be standing in the streets wringing his hands together and dribbling spittle down his chin...what an @sshole...so happy he lost and WILL NOT be involved in Government any longer...scumbag liberal POS
Jawohl, mein Fuhrer.
Blah blah.
If he really cared about his country and his positions he would work within the government to have some affect. This guy is just a namby pamby crybaby.
Thanks for posting this!
Typical liberal/socialist, when you can't win, blame others for your loss. Wuss.
My, that warms the cockles of my heart...
Then Schroeder, with no German loyalty, goes to work for the Russians. Says a lot about the man.
SORE LOSERMAN!!!!
You mean capitialism?
Capitalism, that is.
Tschüss!!!!
Yep, fully agreed. This man damaged this country immeasurably, both before and during his sorry tender.
Good! I think characters from 'Peanuts' should stay out of politics anyway.
The irony and the arrogance. His own people reject him but he thinks he can tell us what's wrong with our country.
Herr Schroeder:
Door knob -- hit ya -- way out-- you know the saying.
poor baby!
How pathetic are the people who cheer and applaud such a statement? Sad.
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