Walter Scheel b. 8 Jul 1919, Höhscheid bei Solingen, German Reich d. 24 Aug 2016, Bad Krozingen, Baden-Württemberg, Federal Republic of Germany Title: Bundespräsident (Federal President) Term: 1 Jul 1974 - 30 Jun 1979 Chronology: 15 May 1974, elected, session of the Bundesversammlung (Federal Assembly), Beethovenhalle, Bonn [1] 1 Jul 1974, took an oath of office as Federal President, joint session of the Bundestag and Bundesrat, Bonn [2] 30 Jun 1979, expiration of term Other offices: Stellvertreter des Bundeskanzlers (Deputy Federal Chancellor) [22 Oct 1969 - 16 May 1974] (see details) Biography: After serving in World War II, he became interested in politics and joined the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in 1946; was elected to the municipal council of Solingen (1948) and to the Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia (1950-1953); elected a member of the Bundestag (1953-1974); held the office of federal minister for economic cooperation in the Cabinets of Konrad Adenauer and Ludwig Erhard (1961-1966); served as Vice President of the Bundestag (8 Sep 1967 - 19 Oct 1969); succeeded Erich Mendes as federal chairman of the FDP (1968-1974); when the Social Democrat-Free Democrat coalition government was formed in 1969 by Chancellor Willy Brandt, he became foreign minister and deputy federal chancellor (22 Oct 1969 - 16 May 1974); as foreign minister he helped improve relations with East Germany and the Soviet Union; when Brandt resigned as Federal Chancellor (6 May 1974), he replaced him in charge of the government until Helmut Schmidt took office 16 May 1974; was elected Federal President by the 7th Bundesversammlung (Federal Assembly); during his tenure, his activities were mostly limited to ceremonial functions and foreign visits; although he was offered to stand for re-election, he refused and accepted executive office in the Deutschen Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG) company; later served as an executive in the Thyssen AG and the Thyssen Stahl AG. Biographical sources: "Die Bundespräsidenten: Biographien eines Amtes", by Günther Scholz (Heidelberg: Decker & Müller, 1990). Elections: Candidate (party) Vote (15 May 1974) Walter Scheel (FDP) 530 Richard Karl Freiherr von Weizsäcker (CDU/CSU) 498 abstentions 5 invalid 0 total votes cast 1,033 total votes/absolute majority: 1,036/519 Source of electoral results: Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages, 7. Wahlperiode, Bd. 88, S. 1-7. [1] Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages, 7. Wahlperiode, Bd. 88, S. 1-7. [2] Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages, 7. Wahlperiode, Bd. 88, S. 7619ff. Last updated on: 18 May 2023 05:49:47; URL: www.archontology.org/nations/german/germ_1949a/scheel2.php
