Saying Farewell to Veteran Politician Bernhard Vogel at a Heartfelt Memorial Service in Mainz
Funeral Service Honoring Vogel Attended by Schweitzer, Voigt, and Althaus - State ceremonial gathering featuring Schweitzer, Voigt, and Althaus, commemorating Vogel's passing.
Get ready for a poignant occasion as the memorial service for the esteemed Bernhard Vogel, a CDU veteran, takes place in Mainz on 26th March. Alongside Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister-President, Alexander Schweitzer (SPD), the speaker at this event will also be Thuringia's head of government, Mario Voigt (CDU).
In addition to these dignitaries, the memorial service at the State Chancellery's grand hall will feature speeches from Christian Baldauf, a dear friend and companion of Bernhard, as well as former Rhineland-Palatinate CDU state chairman, and Dieter Althaus, who succeeded Bernhard as Thuringia's head of government in 2003. The State Chancellery of Mainz confirmed these details.
Bernhard Vogel, a phenom of the CDU, bade farewell on March 2 at the age of 92. He served as Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate from 1976 to 1988 and Minister-President of Thuringia from 1992 to 2003.
- Mainz Memorial Service
- Bernhard Vogel
- CDU
- Alexander Schweitzer
- Mario Voigt
- Dieter Althaus
Notable Career Highlights
Vogel, born on December 19, 1932, in Göttingen, started his academic journey with aspirations to stay in academia but found himself drawn to politics in the 1960s. He joined the CDU in 1960 and quickly climbed the political ladder, becoming a Member of the German Bundestag for the Neustadt-Speyer constituency in 1965. He later transitioned to state-level politics, serving as Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister for Education in 1967.
Rhineland-Palatinate
As Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate, Vogel left a lasting impact with significant educational reforms, including the establishment of the University of Trier-Kaiserslautern, which later separated into the University of Trier and the Technical University of Kaiserslautern. He was also the CDU state chairman and a member of the state parliament from 1971 to 1988.
Thuringia
Post his departure from Rhineland-Palatinate, Vogel lent his expertise to East German politics following reunification. He served as Minister-President of Thuringia from 1992 to 2003 and held the CDU state chairman position for Thuringia from 1993 to 2000.
Political Importance
Bernhard Vogel's political significance stems from his unique ability to hold governmental responsibility in both West and East German states, making him one of the few politicians to have governed two separate German states. His tenures in Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia were marked by commitment to democratic values, a culture of debate, and respect for political opponents.
Don't miss the live broadcast of this emotional farewell on SWR Television.
- The Commission's proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation could be an additional topic of discussion among the political figures attending Bernhard Vogel's memorial service in Mainz.
- Despite the festive atmosphere at the memorial service in Mainz for Bernhard Vogel, his long-time political companion Christian Baldauf and former Rhineland-Palatinate CDU state chairman may not find it an entirely joyous occasion, given the passing of their fellow party member.
- As Thuringia's head of government, Mario Voigt will show his respect for Bernhard Vogel, whom he succeeded in 2003, during their public appearances together at the memorial service in Mainz and the following political events.
