--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I spoke with Gerhard Schröder about a lot…" description: "\"I spoke with Gerhard Schröder about a lot of things, including foreign policy. Schröder knows how important European policy is to me personally. I have..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/martin-schulz-2953_election_i-spoke-with-gerhard-schr-der-about-a-lo_235950.jpg" --- # I spoke with Gerhard Schröder about a lot of things… ![“I spoke with Gerhard Schröder about a lot of things, including foreign policy. Schröder knows how important European policy is to me personally. I have worked together with Angela Merkel on European policy for many years, so I was surprised when Volker Kauder who has little experience in European…” quote by Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/martin-schulz-2953_election_i-spoke-with-gerhard-schr-der-about-a-lo_235950.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/martin-schulz-2953_election_i-spoke-with-gerhard-schr-der-about-a-lo_235950.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/martin-schulz-2953_election_i-spoke-with-gerhard-schr-der-about-a-lo_235950.jpg) > “I spoke with Gerhard Schröder about a lot of things, including foreign policy. Schröder knows how important European policy is to me personally. I have worked together with Angela Merkel on European policy for many years, so I was surprised when Volker Kauder who has little experience in European policy, claimed that I had not represented German interests in Europe. That's an example of how the conservatives conduct an election campaign.” [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker criticizes a rival’s claim of misrepresenting German interests, attributing it to political tactics. **In simple terms:** He calls out political spin in policy representation. Key Takeaway Stay informed and question political narratives. Themes politics representation integrity Mood critical analytical Type political debate When to use this quote - parliamentary debates - media interviews - policy meetings Key Concepts European policy campaign strategy Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports the speaker’s claim? - How does party loyalty affect policy discussion? A Different Perspective Political accusations can be partisan and lack nuance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) [Foreign policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreign-policy/) [German](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/german/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) ## Related quotes > [ The Chancellor \[Angela Merkel\] and the European partners would be well-advised to address the problems in eastern Ukraine more thoroughly. Maybe they have too… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/the-chancellor-angela-merkel-and-the-european-partners-would-be-well/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [European policy is always an interplay of rationality and emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/european-policy-is-always-an-interplay-of-rationality-and-emotion/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [There is a pervasive mistrust that grew out of the Cold War and still continues today - even though there are a lot more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-nunn/there-is-a-pervasive-mistrust-that-grew-out-of-the-cold-war-and-still/) [Sam Nunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-nunn/) > [The European policy is invariably the maintenance of the status quo, and you will do nothing for the subject races unless we, by taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleftherios-venizelos/the-european-policy-is-invariably-the-maintenance-of-the-status-quo/) [Eleftherios Venizelos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleftherios-venizelos/) > [The security link between us and Europe is very important for European security but also for our security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/the-security-link-between-us-and-europe-is-very-important-for/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [It is important to show our European partners that Portugal is a governable country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anibal-cavaco-silva/it-is-important-to-show-our-european-partners-that-portugal-is-a/) [Anibal Cavaco Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anibal-cavaco-silva/) > [Michel Houellebecq is the most interesting, provocative and important European novelist of my generation. Period. No one else comes close. He has written two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-easton-ellis/michel-houellebecq-is-the-most-interesting-provocative-and-important/) [Bret Easton Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-easton-ellis/) > [We need a big debate in society about how we are going to shape Europe and tame capitalism. A government must provide direction and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-need-a-big-debate-in-society-about-how-we-are-going-to-shape/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [Keeping quiet and letting the others do the talking. That may be Angela Merkel's method, but it's not mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/keeping-quiet-and-letting-the-others-do-the-talking-that-may-be/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The stubborn stance of some European governments on the refugee question is a reprisal less aimed at Angela Merkel or (Vice Chancellor) Sigmar Gabriel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-stubborn-stance-of-some-european-governments-on-the-refugee/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [CDU head Angela Merkel has tried for years to serve two sides: the conservative side by holding up her CDU party membership. But then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/cdu-head-angela-merkel-has-tried-for-years-to-serve-two-sides-the/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [I trust Angela Merkel, she is a very open person. She is also subject to certain constraints and limitations. But she is honestly trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/i-trust-angela-merkel-she-is-a-very-open-person-she-is-also-subject/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [I have respect for leaders who defend the interests of their countries. Angela Merkel policies are positive for Germany, but they are unfortunately harmful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/i-have-respect-for-leaders-who-defend-the-interests-of-their/) [Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/) > [I am glad that Angela Merkel is the German Chancellor, as she tries to combine a sense of responsibility with morality and values. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-tusk/i-am-glad-that-angela-merkel-is-the-german-chancellor-as-she-tries-to/) [Donald Tusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-tusk/) > [Angela Merkel has been focused on the right things. She has focused on the interests of her citizens - and not just in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/angela-merkel-has-been-focused-on-the-right-things-she-has-focused-on/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) ## More by Martin Schulz > [Things are going well in Germany because the economy is booming and as an export-driven nation, we are profiting from the fact that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/things-are-going-well-in-germany-because-the-economy-is-booming-and/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [We have committed ourselves to pursue joint policies, but then national governments say, "We aren't bound by that." That is a dramatic situation, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-have-committed-ourselves-to-pursue-joint-policies-but-then/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [It was clear to me that the White House's solemn atmosphere would not civilize Trump. But the merciless nepotism with which he conducts politics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/it-was-clear-to-me-that-the-white-house-s-solemn-atmosphere-would-not/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [For me, respect is an extremely important political term. Since I began campaigning, it has been at the heart of each of my speeches.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/for-me-respect-is-an-extremely-important-political-term-since-i-began/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [European policy is always an interplay of rationality and emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/european-policy-is-always-an-interplay-of-rationality-and-emotion/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [When it comes to climate protection, the whole world will have to pay the price. But if Donald Trump intends to conclude a trade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/when-it-comes-to-climate-protection-the-whole-world-will-have-to-pay/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The EU is a community of values, not military buildups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-eu-is-a-community-of-values-not-military-buildups/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The old fundamental principles must continue to apply, even in our changing society: Democracy knows neither master nor slave. Equal education opportunities for all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-old-fundamental-principles-must-continue-to-apply-even-in-our/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [I would have oriented myself in case of Donald Trump according to what former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said to then - U.S. President…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/i-would-have-oriented-myself-in-case-of-donald-trump-according-to/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [We are in the middle of a tough, ideological conflict that is being waged across the entire continent. On the one side are those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-are-in-the-middle-of-a-tough-ideological-conflict-that-is-being/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [You have to let the people vote when it comes to a new constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/you-have-to-let-the-people-vote-when-it-comes-to-a-new-constitution/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The share of wealth held by the minority is much greater than the share held by the majority. We have to draw our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-share-of-wealth-held-by-the-minority-is-much-greater-than-the/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [France is ready for a European revolution and it is Germany that is pulling the brakes. For a long time, it was the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/france-is-ready-for-a-european-revolution-and-it-is-germany-that-is/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [Trump believes politics is a staged fight. But it is not. Still, clear words are sometimes needed in politics. In that sense, I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/trump-believes-politics-is-a-staged-fight-but-it-is-not-still-clear/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [Many who have voted for the AfD, or who intend to do so, aren't doing so because they are dyed-in-the-wool enemies of democracy. Rather,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/many-who-have-voted-for-the-afd-or-who-intend-to-do-so-aren-t-doing/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) [Explore all 144 Martin Schulz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) ## More Election quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [There's more than 1700 emails out of the thirty three thousand Hillary Clinton emails that we've published, just about Libya. It's not that Libya…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/there-s-more-than-1700-emails-out-of-the-thirty-three-thousand/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [It's not clear in the U.S. at the moment, either. We're going through another election.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-kerrey/it-s-not-clear-in-the-u-s-at-the-moment-either-we-re-going-through/) [Bob Kerrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-kerrey/) > [I always lose the election in the polls, and I always win it on election day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/i-always-lose-the-election-in-the-polls-and-i-always-win-it-on/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [Elections are not a beauty contest. It is all about tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-franz/elections-are-not-a-beauty-contest-it-is-all-about-tolerance/) Vladimir Franz > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [The election of Trump threw the chess board up. The pieces are all over the place. That's upsetting to a lot of people, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-rubin/the-election-of-trump-threw-the-chess-board-up-the-pieces-are-all/) [Dave Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-rubin/) > [If I had lost the popular vote but won the electoral college and in my first day as president the intelligence community came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-i-had-lost-the-popular-vote-but-won-the-electoral-college-and-in/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [We know from this book entitled... What is it? Surrendered? Succumbed? I can never remember the title perform. And we learn from this book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-know-from-this-book-entitled-what-is-it-surrendered-succumbed-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Let's be honest, if the Democrats didn't support ignoring our nation's immigration laws, there is no way they could win the presidency or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/let-s-be-honest-if-the-democrats-didn-t-support-ignoring-our-nation-s/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [I spent many years working for voting rights, but we still see sophisticated efforts, led by white officials, to disenfranchise black voters in local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-brooke/i-spent-many-years-working-for-voting-rights-but-we-still-see/) [Edward Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-brooke/) > [“The answer to the question raised in the title of this essay - Is salvation a matter of divine determination or human responsibility? -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layton-talbert/the-answer-to-the-question-raised-in-the-title-of-this-essay-is/) [Layton Talbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layton-talbert/) > [One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician's objective. Election and power are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-thomas/one-of-the-reasons-people-hate-politics-is-that-truth-is-rarely-a/) [Cal Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-thomas/) [Browse all 3,344 Election quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I spoke with Gerhard Schröder about a lot of things, including foreign policy. Schröder knows how important European policy is to me personally. I have worked together with Angela Merkel on European policy for many years, so I was surprised when Volker Kauder who has little experience in European policy, claimed that I had not represented German interests in Europe. 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