Schröder’s 178 classified files remain locked until 2026 review

A trove of Schröder’s political secrets stays hidden—unless he says otherwise. Why are 178 files still off-limits nearly three years later?

, and Administrator

2026 January 13 . 7:25 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old book with a stamp on it, which is the first edition of the book, titled... — The image shows an old book with a stamp on it, which is the first edition of the book, titled "Z.D. Nuremberg, Germany, 1791". The paper on the book has some text written on it.

Schröder’s 178 classified files remain locked until 2026 review

Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s office has delayed handing over 178 official files for nearly three years. The documents, now stored at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, remain restricted unless Schröder personally approves access. A review of these materials is scheduled for early 2026 by the German Chancellery.

Schröder chose to transfer his papers to the Friedrich Ebert Foundation rather than the Federal Archives. This decision means researchers and journalists must seek his direct permission before viewing any content. The foundation has not disclosed who will verify the documents when the review begins.

The German Chancellery will assess whether any of the files should be moved to the Federal Archives. This examination is set for the first quarter of 2026. The delay in releasing the 178 requested files has raised questions about transparency and compliance with archival procedures.

The upcoming review will determine if the documents belong in the Federal Archives. Until then, access remains tightly controlled by Schröder’s approval. The process highlights ongoing debates over how former leaders’ records are managed and made public.