Wolfgang Gerhardt began as a minister in Hesse, wanted to become foreign minister, and eventually became head of the FDP. After his death, Christian Lindner paid tribute to him.
Former FDP chairman Wolfgang Gerhardt has died. The 80-year-old died on Friday morning in Wiesbaden, FDP leader Christian Lindner announced on behalf of the family.
“He was never a power politician, but remained a well-read, refined and generous person even in top positions. In a difficult phase of our history, he held the FDP together and built it up again,” said Lindner in an initial tribute. “We owe him a great deal of gratitude.”
“Wolfgang Gerhardt has campaigned for personal responsibility and independent judgement throughout his life. Fair educational opportunities were a matter close to his heart,” wrote current party leader Lindner in his tribute.
Wolfgang Gerhardt was Guido Westerwelle’s predecessor
Gerhardt initially pursued a political career in his native Hesse. From 1978 to 1994 he was a member of the state parliament in Wiesbaden. In 1987 he became Minister of Science and Deputy Prime Minister. In 1994 the liberal entered the Bundestag. However, he did not achieve his goal of becoming Foreign Minister because the black-yellow coalition did not win a majority in the 2002 federal election.
Gerhardt was FDP federal chairman from 1995 to 2001 and chairman of the FDP parliamentary group from 1998 to 2006. He eventually handed over both offices to Guido Westerwelle. Gerhardt took over the management of the FDP-affiliated Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
Note: This post has been updated.
Source: Stern
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