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Manfred GerlachGerman politician
Date of Birth: 08.05.1928
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Manfred Gerlach: A Life in German Politics
Early Life and CareerManfred Gerlach was born on May 8, 1928, in Leipzig, Germany, to a working-class family. In 1945, at the age of 16, he joined the newly formed Liberal Democratic Party of Germany (LDPD) in Leipzig, which later became part of the GDR's National Front. He rose through the ranks of the LDPD, becoming the head of its Leipzig organization.
Gerlach began his career as a judicial clerk in Leipzig's regional court. He then worked in the judicial system in Borna. From 1949 to 1959, he was a member of the Central Council of the Free German Youth (FDJ).
Political Rise
In 1950, Gerlach became a member of the LDPD's Central Executive Board. In 1954, he completed his law degree through a correspondence course in Borna. From 1954 to 1967, he served as the LDPD's Secretary General. He also worked in Leipzig's city administration.
In 1960, Gerlach became Deputy Chairman of the State Council of the GDR. In 1964, he earned a doctorate from the German Academy for Politics and Law in Potsdam-Babelsberg. From 1967 onwards, he held the post of Chairman of the LDPD, as well as being a member of the Presidium of the GDR National Front's National Council.
Influence and Controversies
Gerlach became increasingly influential after 1985. In 1972, he supported the expropriation of the last privately-owned businesses in the GDR. However, the LDPD remained the only GDR party with direct ties to its counterpart in West Germany: the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP).
In 1984, Gerlach was appointed professor. On December 6, 1989, almost the entire leadership of the GDR was forced to resign. At an emergency meeting of the GDR State Council, convened by Egon Krenz who had resigned as its Chairman, Manfred Gerlach became Acting Chairman of the State Council until the next session of the GDR's People's Chamber.
In February 1990, Gerlach stepped down as Chairman of the LDPD, saying he wanted to make way for younger leaders. On April 5, 1990, with the opening of the People's Chamber session, Gerlach's term as Acting Chairman of the State Council ended.
Post-Unification
Gerlach became a member of the Free Democratic Union of the GDR and, after German reunification, joined the FDP. In 1993, he left the FDP amid legal proceedings regarding his activities during the GDR era. Another legal case against Manfred Gerlach took place in August 2000 at the Leipzig Regional Court, this time concerning his alleged collaboration with the Soviet Military Administration in Germany after 1945.
