Lothar de Maizière — East German politician and last democratically elected prime minister

Early life and political background

De Maizière trained as a lawyer and worked within the structures of the GDR before 1989. He belonged to the reconstituted CDU in East Germany, a party that historically had different conditions and functions under the socialist state than its West German counterpart. The collapse of communist rule across Eastern Europe and mass protests in the GDR opened political space that allowed new democratic elections in 1990.

Role in 1990 and reunification

In the spring of 1990 de Maizière became head of the government elected in the first and only free Volkskammer (parliament) elections of the GDR. His cabinet negotiated the terms under which the East German state acceded to the Federal Republic of Germany. These talks culminated in German reunification on 3 October 1990, when the institutions of the GDR were dissolved and its territory joined the Federal Republic.

Later life and legacy

After reunification de Maizière withdrew from the central stage of national politics, returning to legal practice and occasional public commentary. His brief premiership is often recalled as a transitional administration that had to manage rapid political, economic and legal integration. Historians regard him as a key figure of the reunification period because his government oversaw the formal end of the GDR.

Notable facts

• Only democratically elected Prime Minister of the GDR.
• Led negotiations that resulted in reunification on 3 October 1990.
• Member of the East German CDU; more on his background can be found in his biography.