Gerhard Schröder is a German politician who served as the Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005. He was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and is known for implementing significant reforms in the labor market and social welfare systems, often referred to as the Agenda 2010. After his tenure as Chancellor, Schröder took on various roles in the private sector, including positions with Russian energy companies. His close ties to Russia and his post-political career have sparked both interest and controversy in Germany and beyond.