Schaeuble, commenting on Germany’s energy policy, said: “Approving Nord Stream 1 may not be very wise, but Nord Stream 2 is a very serious mistake – against other Europeans, against Americans.”

“We are world leaders in terms of moralization,” he admits, assessing the political and economic situation. “The Germans themselves don’t follow what they like to dictate to others, and sometimes they are blind and deaf to warnings.”

According to him, Germany’s energy policy stunned Europe – not only because of its dependence on Russian gas pipelines, but mainly because of its withdrawal from nuclear energy. “Especially during this dire energy crisis, it is a mistake not to keep all remaining nuclear power plants running as long as possible. We are back on the quiet track in Europe,” Schaeuble said.

Referring to the migration policies of Angela Merkel, in whose cabinet in 2005-2009 she was minister in charge of internal affairs, and in 2009-2017 minister of finance, Schaeuble acknowledged that in the fall of 2015 in parliament, but also in the security services, ” Angela Merkel’s open border policy was under discussion” and the government at the time (Union – SPD) even considered closing the border. “But the chancellor and his interior minister do not want to take legal responsibility for the decision. They also want to prevent an unpleasant sight at Germany’s external borders.”

Back then, as thousands of people arrived in Germany in uncontrolled fashion every day, not only was Merkel’s slogan “We can do it” questioned, but the chancellor herself was unsure of her position.

“Welt”, reporting Schaeuble’s interview for ZDF, emphasized that CDU politicians confirmed the coup attempt against Merkel’s government, explaining that several people had discussed it with her in 2015, but she firmly stated: “I will not do it to him.”

Schaeuble, as “a person who has never been a candidate for federal chancellor or president, partly because of the CDU donation scandal, is the record holder of the German Bundestag” – reminds “Welt”. He entered parliament for the first time in December 1972, at the age of 30. Since then, for nearly 50 years, he has contributed to determining Germany’s political destiny.