List of ministers of the Federal Republic of Germany
Encyclopedia
List of past ministers
of the Federal Republic of Germany (1945-present)
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
of the Federal Republic of Germany (1945-present)
- Irmgard Adam-Schwaetzer, FDP (1991–1994)
- Konrad AdenauerKonrad AdenauerKonrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer was a German statesman. He was the chancellor of the West Germany from 1949 to 1963. He is widely recognised as a person who led his country from the ruins of World War II to a powerful and prosperous nation that had forged close relations with old enemies France,...
, CDU (Chancellor) - Hans ApelHans ApelHans Eberhard Apel was a German politician and a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany . From 1972-74 he was Parliamentary State Secretary to the Foreign Minister...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1974-1978 Finance, 1978-1982 Defense) - Walter Arendt, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
- Egon BahrEgon BahrEgon Karl-Heinz Bahr is a German SPD politician.The former journalist was the creator of the "Ostpolitik" promoted by West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, for whom he served as Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office from 1969 until 1972...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... - Rainer BarzelRainer BarzelRainer Candidus Barzel was a German politician of the CDU.Born in Braunsberg, East Prussia , Barzel served as Chairman of the CDU from 1971 and 1973 and ran as the CDU's candidate for Chancellor of Germany in the 1972 federal elections, losing to Willy Brandt's SPD.The 1972 election is commonly...
, CDU (1962–1963 and 1982-1983 Inner-German affairs) - Norbert BlümNorbert BlümNorbert Blüm is a German federal legislator from North Rhine-Westphalia, Chairman of the CDU there , and former minister for labor and social affairs ....
, CDU (1982-1998 Labour) - Kurt BodewigKurt BodewigKurt Bodewig is a German politician and member of the SPD.A former Federal Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure , he is a member of the supervisory board of the Global Panel Foundation.- External links :...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(2000-2002 Transportation) - Wolfgang BötschWolfgang BötschWolfgang Bötsch is a German politician, representative of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria. Between 1974 and 1976 he represented the Landtag of Bavaria and between 1993 and 1997 he was the Minister of Post and Telecommunications.-References:...
, CSU - Jochen Borchert, CDU (1993-1998 Agriculture)
- Willy BrandtWilly BrandtWilly Brandt, born Herbert Ernst Karl Frahm , was a German politician, Mayor of West Berlin 1957–1966, Chancellor of West Germany 1969–1974, and leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany 1964–1987....
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1966-1969 Foreign affairs, 1969-1974 Chancellor) - Rainer BrüderleRainer BrüderleRainer Brüderle is a German politician and member of the FDP. He served as Minister of Economics and Transport of Rhineland-Palatinate from 1987–1998. On 28 October 2009, he was appointed Federal Minister for Economics and Technology in the Cabinet Merkel II. On 12 May 2011, Brüderle left Federal...
, FDP (2008-2011 Economy) - Andreas von BülowAndreas von BülowAndreas von Bülow is a German writer, lawyer and former SPD politician. He has been working on books about intelligence agencies, including In the Name of the State. CIA, BND and the criminal machinations of secret services. and The CIA and September 11...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... - Herta Däubler-GmelinHerta Däubler-GmelinHerta Däubler-Gmelin is a former German Minister of Justice. Amid controversy, she resigned in 2002 after a remark about George W. Bush.-History:...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1998-2002 Justice) - Horst EhmkeHorst EhmkeHorst Paul August Ehmke is a German lawyer, law professor and politician of the Social Democratic Party . He served as Federal Minister of Justice , Chief of Staff at the German Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Affairs and Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Post...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... - Björn EngholmBjörn EngholmBjörn Engholm is a Lübeck born German SPD politician. He was Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein from 1988 to 1993 and leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany between 1991 and 1993....
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... - Erhard EpplerErhard EpplerErhard Eppler is a German Social Democratic politician and founder of the GTZ .- Early years :Born in Ulm, Erhard Eppler grew up in Schwäbisch Hall, where his father was the headmaster of the local grammar school. From 1943 to 1945 he served as a soldier in an anti-aircraft unit...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... - Ludwig ErhardLudwig ErhardLudwig Wilhelm Erhard was a German politician affiliated with the CDU and Chancellor of West Germany from 1963 until 1966. He is notable for his leading role in German postwar economic reform and economic recovery , particularly in his role as Minister of Economics under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer...
, CDU (Economy, 1963-1966 Chancellor) - Josef Ertl, FDP (Agriculture 1969-1982;1982–1983)
- Andrea FischerAndrea FischerAndrea Fischer was a member of the German Bundestag for the German Green Party and from 1998 until 2001 Federal Minister for Health...
, Greens (1998-2001 Health) - Egon Franke, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
- Hans Friedrichs, FDP (Economy)
- Anke FuchsAnke FuchsAnke Fuchs is a German lawyer and politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany. She served as Federal Minister for Youth, Family and Health and as Vice President of the Bundestag . Since 2003, she has been the President of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.-Biography:She was born Anke...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(Youth, family, and health) - Hans-Dietrich GenscherHans-Dietrich GenscherHans-Dietrich Genscher is a German politician of the liberal Free Democratic Party . He served as Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany from 1974 to 1982 and, after a two-week pause, from 1982 to 1992, making him Germany's longest serving Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor...
, FDP (1969-1974 Interior, 1974-1992 Foreign affairs) - Heiner GeißlerHeiner GeißlerHeiner Geißler is a German politician with the Christian Democratic Union party.Geißler studied law and philosophy in Munich and Tübingen, where he graduated in 1960....
, CDU (1982-1985 Youth, family and health) - Kurt GscheidleKurt GscheidleKurt Gscheidle was a German politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party ....
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(Transportation, Postal services) - Johann Baptist GradlJohann Baptist GradlJohann Baptist Gradl was a German politician and member of the German party Christian Democratic Union....
, CDU (1965–1966) - Dieter Haack, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(Construction and housing) - Volker Hauff, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(Transportation) - Helmut Haussmann, FDP (1988-1991 Economy)
- Gustav HeinemannGustav HeinemannGustav Walter Heinemann, GCB was a German politician. He was Mayor of the city of Essen from 1946 to 1949, West German Minister of the Interior from 1949 to 1950, Minister of Justice from 1966 to 1969 and President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1969 to 1974.-Early years and professional...
, 1945-1952 CDU; after 1957 SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1949-1950 Interior, 1966-1969 Justice, 1969-1974 BundespräsidentPresident of GermanyThe President of the Federal Republic of Germany is the country's head of state. His official title in German is Bundespräsident . Germany has a parliamentary system of government and so the position of President is largely ceremonial...
) - Hermann HöcherlHermann HöcherlHermann Höcherl was a Nazi politician, volunteer Wehrmacht soldier and after the war German politician of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria ....
, CSU (Interior, later Agriculture) - Gerhard JahnGerhard JahnGerhard Jahn was a German politician and a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1969-1974 Justice) - Manfred KantherManfred KantherManfred Kanther is a German conservative politician and was Minister of the Interior of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1993 to 1998. He has been a member of the CDU .- Life and education :...
, CDU (1993-1998 Interior) - Ignaz KiechleIgnaz KiechleIgnaz Kiechle was a German politician of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria....
, CSU (1983-1993 Agriculture) - Kurt Georg KiesingerKurt Georg KiesingerKurt Georg Kiesinger was a German politician affiliated with the CDU and Chancellor of West Germany from 1 December 1966 until 21 October 1969.-Early career and wartime activities:...
, CDU (1966-1969 Chancellor) - Klaus KinkelKlaus KinkelKlaus Kinkel is a German civil servant, lawyer, and politician of the liberal Free Democratic Party . He served as Federal Minister of Justice , Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany in the government of Helmut Kohl. He was also chairman of the liberal Free Democratic Party from 1993...
, FDP(1991-1992 Justice, 1992-1998 Foreign affairs) - Helmut KohlHelmut KohlHelmut Josef Michael Kohl is a German conservative politician and statesman. He was Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998 and the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union from 1973 to 1998...
, CDU (1982-1998 Chancellor) - Günther Krause, CDU
- Oskar LafontaineOskar LafontaineOskar Lafontaine is a German politician, former German finance minister, former chairman of the Social Democratic Party and former Minister-President of the state of Saarland. Since 2007 he was co-chairman of The Left...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1998-1999 Finance) - Manfred LahnsteinManfred LahnsteinManfred Lahnstein is a German politician . In 1982 he was German Federal Minister of Finance as well as Federal Minister of Economics and until 2004 worked for the media conglomerate Bertelsmann.- Family :...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(Finance) - Otto Graf LambsdorffOtto Graf LambsdorffOtto Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von der Wenge Graf Lambsdorff, known as Otto Graf Lambsdorff, was a German politician of the Free Democratic Party.- Biography :...
, FDP (1977-1984 Economy) - Lauritz LauritzenLauritz LauritzenLauritz Lauritzen was a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany . He was born in Kiel and died in Bad Honnef....
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(Transportation) - Georg LeberGeorg LeberGeorg Leber is a German politician in the Social Democratic Party of Germany .After serving in the Luftwaffe in World War 2, he joined the SPD in 1947...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1966-1974 Transportation and additionally from 1969-1974 Postal Services, 1974-1978 Defense) - Sabine Leutheusser-SchnarrenbergerSabine Leutheusser-SchnarrenbergerSabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger is a German politician of the pro-business Free Democratic Party. Within the FDP, she is a leading figure of the small social-liberal wing...
, FDP - Heinrich LübkeHeinrich LübkeKarl Heinrich Lübke was President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1959 to 1969.-Biography:...
, CDU (1953-59 Food and Agriculture, 1959-1969 BundespräsidentPresident of GermanyThe President of the Federal Republic of Germany is the country's head of state. His official title in German is Bundespräsident . Germany has a parliamentary system of government and so the position of President is largely ceremonial...
) - Werner MaihoferWerner MaihoferWerner Maihofer was a German jurist and legal philosopher. He served as Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior from 1974–1978 until he resigned after a scandal involving an illegal wiretapping of Klaus Traube.-Biography:...
, FDP - Lothar de MaizièreLothar de MaizièreLothar de Maizière is a German christian democratic politician. In 1990, he served as the only democratically elected Prime Minister of the German Democratic Republic, and as such was the last leader of an independent East Germany....
, CDU - Hans MatthöferHans MatthöferHans Hermann Matthöfer was a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.Between 1974 and 1978 Matthöfer served as secretary of research and technology. In 1978 he took over as secretary of finance and in 1982 he left that post and served briefly as secretary of telecommunication...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(Finance) - Angela MerkelAngela MerkelAngela Dorothea Merkel is the current Chancellor of Germany . Merkel, elected to the Bundestag from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has been the chairwoman of the Christian Democratic Union since 2000, and chairwoman of the CDU-CSU parliamentary coalition from 2002 to 2005.From 2005 to 2009 she led a...
, CDU (1991–1994 Women and Youth; 1994-1998 Environment, Conservation and Nuclear Safety) - Jürgen MöllemannJürgen MöllemannJürgen Wilhelm Möllemann was a German politician of the Free Democratic Party. He served as Minister of State at the Foreign Office , as Federal Minister of Education and Research , as Federal Minister of Economics and as Vice Chancellor of Germany in the government of Chancellor Helmut...
, FDP (1987-1991 education and science, 1991-1993 Economy) - Claudia NolteClaudia NolteClaudia Nolte was born Claudia Wiesemüller on February 7, 1966 in Rostock, a town that then lay in East Germany. Nolte became a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union party , becoming the youngest cabinet minister in German history whilst in office from 1994–98...
, CDU - Rainer Ortleb, FDP
- Günter RexrodtGünter RexrodtGünter Rexrodt was a German politician. He lived in Berlin.-Education and work:After the Abitur in 1960 in Arnstadt, Thuringia and an extra year in West Berlin, he graduated with a Diplom in business studies from the Free University Berlin where he also received his doctorate in 1971...
, FDP - Heinz RiesenhuberHeinz RiesenhuberHeinz Riesenhuber is a German politician and was minister in the cabinets of Helmut Kohl from 1982 until 1993.-Life and education:...
, CDU - Hannelore RönschHannelore RönschHannelore Rönsch is a German conservative politician.She was member of the German Parliament from 1983 until 2002, and was Family Minister in the cabinet of Helmut Kohl from 1991 until 1994.-Quotes:...
, CDU - Volker RüheVolker RüheVolker Rühe is a German politician affiliated with the CDU. He served as German Defence minister from April 1, 1992, succeeding Gerhard Stoltenberg during the first government of a reunified Germany in the fourth cabinet of Chancellor Kohl, to the end of the fifth Kohl Cabinet on October 27, 1998...
, CDU (Defense) - Jürgen RüttgersJürgen RüttgersJürgen Rüttgers is a German politician and former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, widely known for his views on immigration and the much-discussed phrase "Kinder statt Inder" which was a media interpretation of "Statt Inder an die Computer müssen unsere Kinder an die Computer"...
, CDU(1994-1998 education, science, research and technology) - Fritz SchäfferFritz SchäfferFritz Schäffer was a German politician for the Bavarian People's Party and the Christian Social Union . In 1945 he became the first Bavarian Minister-President after World War II...
, CSU (Finance, later Justice) - Wolfgang SchäubleWolfgang SchäubleWolfgang Schäuble is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union , currently serving as the Federal Minister of Finance in the Second Cabinet Merkel....
, CDU (1984-1989 Kanzleramt (Chief of Staff); 1989-1991 Interior) - Rudolf ScharpingRudolf ScharpingRudolf Scharping is a German politician .Scharping studied politics, sociology and law at the University of Bonn. He joined the Social Democratic Party in 1966. He was Member of the Rhineland-Palatine Parliament from 1975 to 1994. From 21 May 1991 to 15 October 1994 he was prime minister of the...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1998-2002 Defense) - Walter ScheelWalter ScheelWalter Scheel is a German politician . He served as Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development from 1961 to 1966, Foreign Minister of Germany and Vice Chancellor from 1969 to 1974, acting Chancellor of Germany from 7 May to 16 May 1974 , and finally as President of the Federal...
, FDP - Karl SchillerKarl SchillerKarl August Fritz Schiller was a German scientist and politician of the Social Democratic Party . From 1966 to 1972, he was Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and from 1971 to 1972 Federal Minister of Finance...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1966-1972 Economy and additionally 1972-1972 Finance) - Marie Schlei, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(Economic cooperation) - Cornelia Schmalz-Jacobsen, FDP
- Helmut SchmidtHelmut SchmidtHelmut Heinrich Waldemar Schmidt is a German Social Democratic politician who served as Chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. Prior to becoming chancellor, he had served as Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance. He had also served briefly as Minister of Economics and as acting...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1969-1972 Defense; 1972-1974 Finance; 1974-1982 Chancellor; September 1982 additionally Foreign Affairs) - Jürgen SchmudeJürgen SchmudeJürgen Dieter Paul Schmude is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany. He was born in Insterburg East Prussia, Germany, ....
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1981-1982 Justice; September 1982 additionally Interior) - Rupert ScholzRupert ScholzRupert Scholz is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union. He was Federal Minister of Defence from 1988 to 1989.Scholz is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy....
, CDU (1988-1989 Defense) - Gerhard Schröder, CDU, CDU (1953-1961 Interior; 1961-1966 Foreign Affairs; 1966-1969 Defense)
- Gerhard SchröderGerhard SchröderGerhard Fritz Kurt Schröder is a German politician, and was Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany , he led a coalition government of the SPD and the Greens. Before becoming a full-time politician, he was a lawyer, and before becoming Chancellor...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1998-2005 Chancellor) - Irmgard Schwaetzer, FDP
- Christian Schwarz-SchillingChristian Schwarz-SchillingDr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling , is a German politician and entrepreneur. He is the son of the composer Reinhard Schwarz-Schilling and is married to the author Marie-Luise Schwarz-Schilling with whom he has two children...
, CDU - Horst SeehoferHorst SeehoferHorst Lorenz Seehofer is a German politician . He was Federal Minister for Health and Social Security from 1992 to 1998 and served as Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection in the cabinet of Angela Merkel from 2005 to 2008...
, CSU - Rudolf SeitersRudolf SeitersRudolf Seiters is a German politician of the CDU party.From 1989-1991, he was Federal Minister for Special Affairs and the Head of the Office of the German Chancellery. From 1991-1993, he was the Minister of the Interior. From 1998-2002, he was the Vice President of the German Bundestag, or...
, CDU (Interior) - Carl-Dieter Spranger, CDU
- Gerhard StoltenbergGerhard StoltenbergGerhard Stoltenberg was a German politician and minister in the cabinets of Ludwig Erhard, Kurt Georg Kiesinger and Helmut Kohl. He served as minister-president of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein from 1971 to 1982 and as such as President of the Bundesrat in 1977/78.-Life:Stoltenberg was...
, CDU (1982-1989 Finance, 1989-1992 Defense) - Franz Josef Strauß, CSU (1955-1956 Nuclear Energy; 1956-1962 Defense; 1966-1969 Finance)
- Rita SüssmuthRita SüssmuthRita Süssmuth is a German politician and a member of the Christian Democratic Union .From 1985 to 1988, Süssmuth was Federal Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth under Chancellor Helmut Kohl. She was a member of the German Bundestag from 1987 to 2002...
, CDU - Klaus TöpferKlaus TöpferKlaus Töpfer is a German politician and environmental politics expert. From 1998 to 2006 he was executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme ....
, CDU - Hans-Jochen VogelHans-Jochen VogelHans-Jochen Vogel is a politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.- Early years and professional career :...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... - Theodor WaigelTheodor WaigelTheodor "Theo" Waigel is a German politician of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria.Waigel is a lawyer, and earned a doctorate in 1967. He was a member of the Bundestag from 1972 to 2002...
, CSU (Finance) - Herbert WehnerHerbert WehnerHerbert Richard Wehner was a German politician. A former member of the Communist Party, he joined the Social Democrats after World War II...
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(1966-1969 Minister for Inner-German affairs) - Hans-Jürgen WischnewskiHans-Jürgen WischnewskiHans-Jürgen Wischnewski was a German Social Democrat politician....
, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... - Matthias WissmannMatthias WissmannMatthias Wissmann is the president of the Verband der Automobilindustrie.Since 1999 he has been a partner with the law firm WilmerHale.-Education:...
, CDU - Manfred WörnerManfred WörnerManfred Hermann Wörner was a German politician and diplomat. He served as the defense minister of West Germany between 1982 and 1988. He then served as the seventh Secretary General of NATO from 1988 to 1994. His term as Secretary General saw the end of the Cold War and the German reunification...
, CDU (1982-1988 Defense)
See also
- History of GermanyHistory of GermanyThe concept of Germany as a distinct region in central Europe can be traced to Roman commander Julius Caesar, who referred to the unconquered area east of the Rhine as Germania, thus distinguishing it from Gaul , which he had conquered. The victory of the Germanic tribes in the Battle of the...
- Politics of GermanyPolitics of GermanyThe Federal Republic of Germany is a federal parliamentary republic, based on representative democracy. The Chancellor is the head of government, while the President of Germany is the head of state, which is a ceremonial role but with substantial reserve powers.Executive power is vested in the...
- Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic)
- President of GermanyPresident of GermanyThe President of the Federal Republic of Germany is the country's head of state. His official title in German is Bundespräsident . Germany has a parliamentary system of government and so the position of President is largely ceremonial...
- Lists of incumbents