Kurt Biedenkopf

Kurt Biedenkopf (2010)

Kurt Hans Biedenkopf (born 28 January 1930) is a German politician. He was the 1st Minister President of the Free State of Saxony (one of Germany's federal states) from 1990 until 2002, as such serving as the 54th President of the Bundesrat in 1999/2000.

Biography

Born in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Biedenkopf studied law, economics, and political science. He is a Master of Laws and holds a Dr. jur. (law doctorate). He worked as a researcher, lecturer, and professor at various German universities including those in Bochum, Frankfurt, and Leipzig.

Kurt Biedenkopf is a member of the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU). He entered his professional political career when he became secretary general of the CDU in 1973. From 1977 to 1983 he was a deputy chairman of the party. During the terms 1976-1980 and 1987-1990 he was a member of the Bundestag.

After the re-unification of Germany in 1990 Biedenkopf was elected as Ministerpräsident in the newly formed state of Saxony. His party also won the subsequent elections in 1994 and 1999 with an absolute majority. He held his office until April 2002.

Kurt Biedenkopf enjoyed great popularity among a majority of the people of Saxony, despite his somewhat autocratic style of government. He is often nicknamed König Kurt (German for "King Kurt").

See also

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