Most pundits had written off the Red-Green coalition led by then chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. High unemployment, slowed growth, scandals in state finances and controversies over new taxes and national insurance all pointed to the impending downfall of the chancellor.
But within a matter of weeks, headlines read ”Flood crisis lifts Schroeder from election doldrums”, ”Flood offers Schroeder poll boosts” and ”Schroeder seizes on flood as lifebelt”.
The media said he took on the role of caring statesman and national saviour. The Daily Telegraph said, ”Mr Schroeder has seemed to strike the right blend of grave concern, reassurance and decisive action.”
All Germans were called on to unite and save ”homes, lives and national heritage”.
September 2002: Mr Schroeder won another four-year term.
This was an example of opportunity in crisis. This was an opportunity to unite the country in the face of disaster, and to reap the political gains that come with it. Mr Schroeder capitalised on it very successfully.
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