Reformers change things and attempt to be innovative in problem management the word is not a synonym for a liberal who simply applies the same old socialist ideology. Neither of them offered anything other than the same old answer, more taxes, more government, more laws, rules, bureaucracy, social programs.... There was nothing “reforming” about them.
Take a socialist lawyer with a nice hair due and marry him up to a leftist pacifist (who likes beating on cops however) green “szene macho” who never even finished an abitur nor can hold down a job in an Opel assembly plant or as taxi cab driver and you get the infamous Schroeder/Fischer duo.
In a way it’s funny. Two men who probably would be rejected through proper approval channels to receive a security clearance, guys who would be washed out in military leadership training, one of whom is only qualified in menial labor jobs end up at the helm of the third largest economy and 81 million people; steering this entire nation for 7 years. “Reformers” is a very kind description. A description that overlooks nearly 13% unemployment, practically no growth in an economy, decay of military capabilities, loss of influence within NATO, the Middle East, loss of trust by the US, decrease in real per capita incomes inflation adjusted, increase in inflation, decrease in R&D spending as part of GDP. I guess they did change a lot, so maybe they are “reformers” after all, it just depends how one sees it!
Of course you can’t characterize a person by desribing only one thing he or she did.
I voted for Anglea with a purpose - so don’t make me a lawyer of Schröder.
I called Schröder a reformer because of some reasons - as an example you could name the changes in german foreign policy that where made.
Before Schröder and Fischer it wasn’t possible for germany army to operate out of the center european area.
They changed the politics and structure and equipment of the bundeswehr they induced the founding of the KSK and they - surprisingly for most people - fullfilled their responsibilty to act in the huge global challanges we are facing today.
You will never understand what huge change this is for germany - I know. But I know that we are now deployed all over the world - discussing today about having a detachment in Helmand. Think 5 years back - noone knowing germany would have put a dime on that.
Second he lowered taxes for companies.
Third he restructured the social system cutting many benefits.
Socialist ? Maybe - but with quite a heart for the bosses (wich is why we know have a party left to Schröders SPD - with true socialists in it)
May they never win a single vote.