Kurt Georg Kiesinger

Kurt Georg Kiesinger (April 6, 1904–March 9, 1988) was a conservative German politician and Chancellor of Germany from 1 December, 1966 until 21 October, 1969.

Chancellor

In 1966 following the collapse of the existing CDU/CSU-FDP coalition Kiesinger was elected to replace Ludwig Erhard as Chancellor, heading a new CDU/CSU-SPD alliance. The government formed by Kiesinger remained in power for nearly three years with the SPD leader Willy Brandt as Deputy Federal Chancellor and Foreign Minister. Kiesinger reduced tensions with the Soviet bloc nations establishing diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia but he opposed any major conciliatory moves.

Related Topics:
1966 - FDP - Ludwig Erhard - SPD - Willy Brandt - Czechoslovakia - Romania - Yugoslavia

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One of his low points as chancellor was in 1968 when activist Beate Klarsfeld publicly slapped him in the face during the 1968 Christian Democrat convention, while calling him a Nazi.

Related Topics:
1968 - Beate Klarsfeld - Nazi

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In the election of 1969, the SPD preferred to form a leftist coalition with the FDP, ending the uninterrupted post-war reign of the CDU chancellors. Kiesinger was succeeded as Chancellor by Willy Brandt.

Related Topics:
1969 - Leftist - Willy Brandt

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Kiesinger continued to head the CDU/CSU in opposition until July 1971 and remained a member of the Bundestag until 1980.

Related Topics:
1971 - 1980

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Kiesinger was known for great eloquence and nicknamed "Häuptling Silberzunge" - "Chief Silver Tongue".

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He died in Tübingen, West Germany.

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