Former leader of Germany's pro-business Free Democratic Party Wolfgang Gerhardt passes away at 80

On September 13, 2024, news from Berlin. Politician Wolfgang Gerhardt, who led Germany's pro-business Free Democratic Party from 1995 to 2001, passed away on Friday at the age of 80.

The current leader of the Free Democratic Party, Christian Lindner, announced the news. The Free Democratic Party has been a coalition partner in several German governments. Lindner currently serves as the finance minister in the three-party coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Gerhardt served as the party chairman from 1995 to 2001 and as the parliamentary group leader of the party from 1998 to 2006.

Lindner praised Gerhardt as not a power politician but a learned, excellent and generous person who kept the party united during a difficult stage in the party's history. The German Free Democratic Party is full of gratitude to Gerhardt.

As one of the important political forces in Germany, the Free Democratic Party plays a unique role in political, economic and other fields. During his leadership, Gerhardt actively promoted the development of the party and strived for more say and influence for it in the German political system. His passing is not only a loss for the Free Democratic Party but also makes the German political arena lose an important figure. People from all walks of life have expressed their condolences to Gerhardt's family. His contributions will be remembered, and his departure also triggers people's review and reflection on the development process of German politics.