Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, 80, is currently undergoing hospital treatment for burnout symptoms.
According to local media reports, including the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) on Tuesday, Schröder’s physician stated that he is exhibiting “typical burnout symptoms, including severe fatigue and lack of energy,” adding that he is suffering from decreased concentration, memory loss, and sleep disorders.
The news of Schröder’s burnout comes as he was scheduled to appear before a committee investigating the Nord Stream gas pipeline project.
At the end of last month, Schröder submitted a notice of absence, citing health issues, and did not attend the scheduled hearing. His doctor stated that he would be unable to cope with the physical and mental stress of prolonged public hearings for the time being.
The state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is investigating Schröder’s role in the construction of Nord Stream-2, as he was the chairman of the shareholder committee of the pipeline operator.
During his tenure as Chancellor from 1998 to 2005, Schröder approved the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which transports Russian natural gas to Germany. After leaving office, he worked as a lobbyist, notably as chairman of Rosneft, a Russian oil company.
The Nord Stream project consists of four underwater Baltic Sea gas pipelines, including the Nord Stream-2 approved during Angela Merkel’s chancellorship. Three of these pipelines were blown up in September 2022. German prosecutors believe that Ukrainian divers carried out the explosion and are currently investigating the matter.
Schröder has faced criticism for maintaining a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and continuing business ties with Russian energy companies, even after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
In May 2022, the Bundestag cut Schröder’s office rental and staff budget, asserting he was not fulfilling his duties as a former Chancellor. In response, Schröder filed a lawsuit against the parliament, claiming that he had acted as a former Chancellor by attempting to mediate with Russia to resolve the conflict.
Burnout is characterized by exhaustion from physical and emotional energy depletion, a cynical attitude toward work, and a decline in professional efficacy. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
