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Helmut Schmidt (1980)
Image: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESSImage: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Helmut Schmidt

Helmut Schmidt (1918-2015) was described as one of the most respected German politicians of all time — and the country’s most prominent chain smoker.

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Helmut Schmidt

Europeans Ignorant about China, Says Former Chancellor

People in Europe and North America are ignorant of China's enormous historical achievements, said former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt.
September 12, 2008
Helmut and Loki Schmidt smoking

Old Habits Die Hard

Former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt may face charges for smoking in a theater lobby.
January 25, 2008

Kissinger's German roots

New books explore the odyssey of Henry Kissinger, who fled the Nazis and made it big in America.
June 29, 2007

"China is Going to Overtake Germany In the Next Few Years"

Former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt will hold talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during a summit in Hamburg. DW-WORLD.DE spoke with Schmidt about his ties to China and the country's growing global clout.
September 13, 2006

Schröder Pins Hopes on Vote of Confidence

If Germany is to go to the polls this autumn, Chancellor Schröder will have to set in motion a complex constitutional mechanism for bringing the elections forward.
May 23, 2005

Opinion: Politicians Should Grow Up

Among Germany's leading political parties, the knives are out. Politicians across the spectrum have resorted to mudslinging and name-calling. DW's Uta Thofern has had enough.
March 4, 2005

Veteran German Social Democrat in Coma

February 15, 2005

Controversial Nukes Decision Remembered

In the 1970s and 80s, when it seemed like the US and USSR might unleash a nuclear war in Europe, “no nukes” was on every peace activist’s lips. Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of NATO’s “dual track decision.”
December 12, 2004

Former German Chancellor Lashes Out at European Politicians

December 23, 2003

Schmidt Criticized for calling East Germans "Whiners"

Germany's popular ex-chancellor Helmut Schmidt has outraged many eastern Germans by criticizing them for "whining" about the supposed hardships of reunification without due cause.
October 13, 2003

Wealth and Power for the Common Good

Former leaders from all over the world got together in Berlin to debate global problems - and to enjoy each other's company. DW-WORLD accompanied them on a boat trip down Berlin's river Spree.
June 11, 2002