Ex-Bild chief apologized to former German Chancellor Schroeder for criticism in the paper

Former editor-in-chief of the German tabloid Bild Kai Dieckmann apologized to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder for publishing materials about him in the newspaper, admitting that he was once mistaken. He said in an interview with the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on February 22.

"I have to say that the Bild newspaper under my leadership was on the wrong side of history in two historical situations," Dieckmann noted.

In particular, he recalled, the media outlet rejected Schroeder's Agenda 2010 reform project in 2003 and welcomed the Iraq war, which the former chancellor did not support. Dieckmann said he now realizes that the politician "acted correctly in both situations." At the same time in those years, the editor-in-chief admitted, he fought Schroeder "not for life, but for death"

"Today it is easier for me to defend him. I believe that the attitude towards him by part of the public and his own party is unworthy," the journalist pointed out.

Gerhard Schroeder, former chancellor of Germany. Biography

Earlier, on February 4, it was reported that Schroeder was hospitalized. According to the doctor's conclusion, he suffers from severe burnout syndrome with typical signs of deep exhaustion and severe lack of energy.

On the same day, Schroeder's lawyer Hans-Peter Huber told Izvestia that the politician was diagnosed with burnout as a result of long overwork, he will continue treatment in the hospital. The lawyer emphasized that Schroeder's condition was affected by the accusations that had been brought against him over the past years.