Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder celebrated his 80th birthday on April 27, 2024, at Restaurant Borchardt in Berlin. Schroeder, a pivotal figure in German politics from the 1990s through the early 2000s, served as the country's leader in a coalition government with the Greens from 1998 to 2005. A notable number of guests attended the celebration, including Sigmar Gabriel, former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs; Gregor Gysi, Member of the German Bundestag; and Otto Schily, former Minister of the Interior. Other distinguished attendees were Matthias Miersch, also a Member of the Bundestag, artists like Markus L�pertz, and political figures such as Wolfgang Kubicki, Vice President of the Bundestag, and Michael Naumann, former Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. Schroeder's political legacy is marked by significant but controversial reforms, including Agenda 2010 and the Hartz reforms, which aimed to modernize Germany's economy and labor market. However, these policies led to a split within the SPD, eventually contributing to the foundation of the Left Party. Since leaving office, Schroeder has been involved in various economic roles, notably serving as the chairman of the Nord Stream 2 AG's shareholders' committee, and has faced criticism for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, especially amid Russia's war in Ukraine. (Photo by Michael Kuenne/PRESSCOV/Sipa USA)