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{{short description|German politician|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{short description|German politician|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kurt Beck
| name = Kurt Beck
| image = Kurt Beck - Deutschlandfest Bonn 2011-3237.jpg
| image = Kurt Beck - Deutschlandfest Bonn 2011-3237 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Beck in 2011

| office = [[List of Ministers-President of Rhineland-Palatinate|Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate]]
| office = [[Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany|Leader]] of the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]]
⚫
| deputy1 = [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]]<br />[[Andrea Nahles]]<br />[[Peer Steinbrück]]<br />[[Bärbel Dieckmann]]
⚫
| term_start = 26 October 1994
| term_end = 15 January 2013
| term_start = 10 April 2006
⚫
| term_end = 7 September 2008
⚫
| predecessor = [[Rudolf Scharping]]
| 1blankname = {{nowrap|General Secretary}}
| successor = [[Malu Dreyer]]
| 1namedata = [[Hubertus Heil]]

| office1 = [[Leader of the Social Democratic Party]]
| predecessor1 = [[Matthias Platzeck]]
⚫
| successor1 = [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] (acting)
| term_start1 = 10 April 2006
| office2 = [[List of Minister-Presidents of Rhineland-Palatinate|Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate]]
⚫
| term_end1 = 7 September 2008
| deputy2 = {{ubl|[[Rainer Brüderle]]|Peter Caesar|Hans-Artur Bauckhage|[[Jürgen Zöllner]]|Karl Peter Bruch|[[Eveline Lemke]]}}
| predecessor1 = [[Matthias Platzeck]]
⚫
| term_start2 = 26 October 1994
⚫
| successor1 = [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] <small>(Acting)</small>
⚫
| term_end2 = 15 January 2013
⚫
| deputy1 = [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] <br /> [[Andrea Nahles]] <br /> [[Peer Steinbrück]] <br /> [[Bärbel Dieckmann]]
⚫
| predecessor2 = [[Rudolf Scharping]]

| office2 =
| successor2 = [[Malu Dreyer]]
|office3 = [[President of the German Bundesrat|President]] of the [[German Bundesrat|Bundesrat]]
| term_start2 =
|1blankname3 = {{nowrap|[[German Bundesrat#Presidency|First Vice President]]}}
⚫
| term_end2 =
|1namedata3 = [[Kurt Biedenkopf]]
| predecessor2 =
|term_start3 = 1 November 2000
| successor2 =
|term_end3 = 31 October 2001

|predecessor3 = Kurt Biedenkopf
⚫
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|02|05|df=yes}}
|successor3 = [[Klaus Wowereit]]
| birth_place = [[Bad Bergzabern]], [[Allied Occupation Zones in Germany|Germany]]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin |last=yes |Parliamentary constituencies
| nationality = [[Germany|German]] {{flagicon|Germany}}
|titlestyle=border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
⚫
| death_date =
| office4 = Member of the<br />[[Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate]]
⚫
| death_place =
| party = [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]]
| term_start4 = [[1991 Rhineland-Palatinate state election|21 May 1991]]
| relations =
| term_end4 = 5 February 2013
| predecessor4 = ''Constituency established''
⚫
| residence =
| successor4 = Alexander Schweitzer
⚫
| alma_mater =
| constituency4 = Südliche Weinstraße
| occupation =
| term_start5 = [[1979 Rhineland-Palatinate state election|18 May 1979]]
| religion = [[Roman Catholic]]
| term_end5 = [[1991 Rhineland-Palatinate state election|21 May 1991]]
⚫
| signature =
| website =
| predecessor5 = ''multi-member district''
| successor5 = ''Constituency abolished''
⚫
| footnotes =
| constituency5 = Wahlkreis 4{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
⚫
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|02|05|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Bad Bergzabern]], [[French occupation zone in Germany|French occupation zone]], [[Allied-occupied Germany]] {(now [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], Germany)
⚫
| death_date =
⚫
| death_place =
| party = [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (1972–)
| relations =
⚫
| residence =
⚫
| alma_mater =
| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|Radio Engineer|Consultant}}
⚫
| signature =
| website =
⚫
| footnotes =
| allegiance = {{flag|Germany}}
| branch = {{flagicon image|Bundeswehr Logo.svg|50px|Emblem of German Ground Forces}} ''[[Bundeswehr]]''
| serviceyears = 1968–1969
| unit = {{flagicon image|Bundeswehr Logo Heer with lettering.svg|50px|Emblem of German Ground Forces}}''[[German Army|Army (Heer)]]''
}}
}}
⚫
'''Kurt Beck''' (born 5 February 1949) is a German politician of the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (SPD), who served as the 7th [[Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate|Minister President]] of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] from 1994 to 2013 and as the 55th [[President of the German Bundesrat|President]] of the [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]] in 2000–01. In May 2006, he succeeded [[Matthias Platzeck]] as chairman of the German [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (SPD). He resigned from that post in September 2008.


⚫
On 28 September 2012 Beck announced his resignation from the post of minister-president. He was succeeded by social minister [[Malu Dreyer]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120928-45247.html |title=Steinbrück: We want to remove this government |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001004117/http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120928-45247.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/beck-hoert-als-ministerpraesident-und-spd-chef-in-rheinland-pfalz-auf-a-858667.html|title = Beck hört als Ministerpräsident und SPD-Chef in Rheinland-Pfalz auf|newspaper = Der Spiegel|date = 28 September 2012}}</ref>
⚫
'''Kurt Beck''' (born 5 February 1949) is a [[Germany|German]] [[politician]] ([[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]]), who served as the 7th [[Minister-President|Minister President]] of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] from 1994 to 2013 and as the 55th [[President of the German Bundesrat|President]] of the [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]] in 2000/01. On 14 May 2006 he succeeded [[Matthias Platzeck]] as chairman of the German [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (SPD). He resigned from that post on 7 September 2008.

⚫
On 28 September 2012 he announced his resignation from the post of minister-president. He was succeeded by social minister [[Malu Dreyer]].<ref>[http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120928-45247.html Steinbrück: We want to remove this government]</ref><ref>http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/beck-hoert-als-ministerpraesident-und-spd-chef-in-rheinland-pfalz-auf-a-858667.html</ref>


Following [[Peter Struck (politician)|Peter Struck]]'s death in 2012, Beck – together with [[Dieter Schulte]] – became the chair of the [[Friedrich Ebert Foundation]]; he served until 2020, when he was replaced with [[Martin Schulz]].<ref>[https://www.fes.de/beitraege/martin-schulz-ist-unser-neuer-vorsitzender Martin Schulz zum Vorsitzenden der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. gewählt] [[Friedrich Ebert Foundation]], press release of 14 December 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/martin-schulz-spd-zum-chef-der-friedrich-ebert-stiftung-gewaehlt-a-adf36b22-f514-401a-a945-52bad7865072 Schulz zum Chef der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung gewählt] ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', 15 December 2020.</ref>
Following [[Peter Struck]]'s death in 2012, Kurt Beck together with [[Dieter Schulte]] took chair of the [[Friedrich Ebert Foundation]].


==Early life and career==
==Biography==
Beck was born in [[Bad Bergzabern]], [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], to the bricklayer Oskar Beck and his wife Johanna. Both his parents had their roots in the town Kapsweyer in southern [[Palatinate region|Rhenish Palatinate]]. He grew up in [[Steinfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate|Steinfeld]].
Beck was born in [[Bad Bergzabern]], [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], to the bricklayer Oskar Beck and his wife Johanna. Both his parents had their roots in the town Kapsweyer in southern [[Palatinate region|Rhenish Palatinate]]. He grew up in [[Steinfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate|Steinfeld]].


From 1963 to 1968, he became an electrician. After military duty in 1968 and 1969, he graduated from an evening school in 1972. Since then, he served as an employee representative on [[works councils]].
From 1963 to 1968, Beck became an electrician. After military duty in 1968 and 1969, he graduated from an evening school in 1972. Since then, he served as an employee representative on [[works councils]].


==Political career==
==Political career==
[[Image:Angela Merkel Kurt Beck 01.JPG|thumb|Merkel and Beck (2007)]]
[[Image:Angela Merkel Kurt Beck 01.JPG|thumb|Angela Merkel and Beck in 2007]]
After joining the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]] in 1972, mainly because of the Party's programme as well as the personality of [[Willy Brandt]], Beck became chairman of the SPD of Rhineland Palatinate in 1993 and deputy chairman of the federal party in 2003. He served in this function until 14 May 2006.
After joining the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]] in 1972, mainly because of the Party's programme as well as the personality of [[Willy Brandt]], Beck became chairman of the SPD of Rhineland Palatinate in 1993 and deputy chairman of the federal party in 2003. He served in this function until 14 May 2006.


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On 26 October 1994 Kurt Beck was elected [[Minister President]] of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], succeeding [[Rudolf Scharping]]. He was re-elected three times, in 1996, [[2001 Rhineland-Palatinate state election|2001]] and [[2006 Rhineland-Palatinate state election|2006]]. As Minister President he was known for his centrist approach, which is also apparent from the choice of his coalition partner (the liberal [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]] instead of the left-wing [[Alliance '90/The Greens|Green Party]], with which the SPD has recently allied itself). In this respect, he follows the policy of Scharping. In March 2006, Beck's SPD gained an absolute majority in the state elections; Beck offered to continue the coalition but since the FDP declined, the SPD formed a government without a partner. After [[Edmund Stoiber]] resigned in 2007, Beck was the senior Minister President in Germany.
On 26 October 1994 Kurt Beck was elected [[Minister President]] of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], succeeding [[Rudolf Scharping]]. He was re-elected three times, in 1996, [[2001 Rhineland-Palatinate state election|2001]] and [[2006 Rhineland-Palatinate state election|2006]]. As Minister President he was known for his centrist approach, which is also apparent from the choice of his coalition partner (the liberal [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]] instead of the left-wing [[Alliance '90/The Greens|Green Party]], with which the SPD has recently allied itself). In this respect, he follows the policy of Scharping. In March 2006, Beck's SPD gained an absolute majority in the state elections; Beck offered to continue the coalition but since the FDP declined, the SPD formed a government without a partner. After [[Edmund Stoiber]] resigned in 2007, Beck was the senior Minister President in Germany.


During his time in office, Beck's decisions in Rhineland-Palatinate to increase efficiency in the state government via administrative reorganisation, and to introduce full-day schooling and free kindergartens, drew national attention. The state also emerged as one of the country’s top economic performers.<ref>Hugh Williamson (May 12, 2006), [https://www.ft.com/content/420a6ef2-e1da-11da-bf4c-0000779e2340 Doubts surround SPD’s down-to-earth new leader] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref> When the [[United States Armed Forces]] closed dozens of camps and barracks with the loss of 100,000 jobs, Beck's government invested heavily in retraining schemes, creating 40,000 new jobs.<ref>Judy Dempsey (April 10, 2006), [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/world/europe/party-chief-resigns-in-germany.html Party chief resigns in Germany] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref>
During his time in office, Beck's decisions in Rhineland-Palatinate to increase efficiency in the state government via administrative reorganisation, and to introduce full-day schooling and free kindergartens, drew national attention. The state also emerged as one of the country’s top economic performers.<ref>Hugh Williamson (12 May 2006), [https://www.ft.com/content/420a6ef2-e1da-11da-bf4c-0000779e2340 Doubts surround SPD’s down-to-earth new leader] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref> When the [[United States Armed Forces]] closed dozens of camps and barracks with the loss of 100,000 jobs, Beck's government invested heavily in retraining schemes, creating 40,000 new jobs.<ref>Judy Dempsey (10 April 2006), [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/world/europe/party-chief-resigns-in-germany.html Party chief resigns in Germany] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref>


In 2000 and 2001, Beck was [[President of the German Bundesrat|President]] of the [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]], one of his duties as Minister President.
In 2000 and 2001, Beck was [[President of the German Bundesrat|President]] of the [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]], one of his duties as Minister President.


In September 2012, Beck announced his resignation. He had been under pressure for weeks over the bankruptcy of the [[Nürburgring]] motorsports complex in Rhineland-Palatinate, one of the world's most famous race tracks.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-state-governor-kurt-beck-expected-to-resign-friday-a-858536.html Theme Park Scandal German State Governor Expected to Resign Friday] ''[[Spiegel Online]]'', September 28, 2012.</ref>
In September 2012, Beck announced his resignation. He had been under pressure for weeks over the bankruptcy of the [[Nürburgring]] motorsports complex in Rhineland-Palatinate, one of the world's most famous race tracks.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-state-governor-kurt-beck-expected-to-resign-friday-a-858536.html Theme Park Scandal German State Governor Expected to Resign Friday] ''[[Spiegel Online]]'', 28 September 2012.</ref>


===Chairman of the SPD, 2006–2008===
===Chairman of the SPD, 2006–2008===
When [[Matthias Platzeck]] had to resign for medical reasons in 2006, Beck was officially elected as chairman of the SPD with the approval of 95% of the delegates.<ref>[http://www.bt.dk/nyheder/artikel:aid=440828/ Kurt Beck valgt til formand for tyske socialdemokrater<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He became the party’s fourth chairman in seven years.<ref>Hugh Williamson (May 12, 2006), [https://www.ft.com/content/420a6ef2-e1da-11da-bf4c-0000779e2340 Doubts surround SPD’s down-to-earth new leader] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>
When [[Matthias Platzeck]] had to resign for medical reasons in 2006, Beck was officially elected as chairman of the SPD with the approval of 95% of the delegates.<ref>[http://www.bt.dk/nyheder/artikel:aid=440828/ Kurt Beck valgt til formand for tyske socialdemokrater<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He became the party’s fourth chairman in seven years.<ref>Hugh Williamson (12 May 2006), [https://www.ft.com/content/420a6ef2-e1da-11da-bf4c-0000779e2340 Doubts surround SPD’s down-to-earth new leader] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>


Beck decided not to join the cabinet and succeed [[Vice-Chancellor of Germany|Vice-Chancellor]] [[Franz Müntefering]] because it would have prevented him from criticizing Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]]'s [[First Merkel cabinet|coalition government]].<ref>Judy Dempsey (November 14, 2007), [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/world/europe/14iht-germany.4.8339508.html Merkel's coalition is facing discontent] ''[[International Herald Tribune]]''.</ref> According to public opinion polls during his time as party chairman, his possibilities of becoming [[Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)|Chancellor]], if he had run for this office in the [[2009 German federal election|2009 election]], had been very limited. According to [[Süddeutsche Zeitung]],<ref>[http://www.sueddeutsche.de/deutschland/artikel/141/123964/ SPD-Chef Beck im Tief Viele SPD-Wähler bevorzugen Merkel - Deutschland - sueddeutsche.de<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103094650/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/deutschland/artikel/141/123964/ |date=2007-11-03 }}</ref> only 16% of Germans would have elected him in the hypothetical case of a direct vote against [[Angela Merkel]].
Beck decided not to join the cabinet and succeed [[Vice-Chancellor of Germany|Vice-Chancellor]] [[Franz Müntefering]] because it would have prevented him from criticizing Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]]'s [[First Merkel cabinet|coalition government]].<ref>Judy Dempsey (14 November 2007), [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/world/europe/14iht-germany.4.8339508.html Merkel's coalition is facing discontent] ''[[International Herald Tribune]]''.</ref> According to public opinion polls during his time as party chairman, his possibilities of becoming [[Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)|Chancellor]], if he had run for this office in the [[2009 German federal election|2009 election]], had been very limited. According to [[Süddeutsche Zeitung]],<ref>[http://www.sueddeutsche.de/deutschland/artikel/141/123964/ SPD-Chef Beck im Tief Viele SPD-Wähler bevorzugen Merkel - Deutschland - sueddeutsche.de<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103094650/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/deutschland/artikel/141/123964/ |date=3 November 2007 }}</ref> only 16% of Germans would have elected him in the hypothetical case of a direct vote against [[Angela Merkel]].


During his time in office as party leader, Beck most notably negotiated an agreement with Merkel’s Christian Democrats in April 2017 on a partial [[privatization]] of national railway [[Deutsche Bahn]]'s passenger and [[DB Cargo|freight]] divisions.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/striking-a-deal-german-coalition-agrees-on-deutsche-bahn-privatization-a-550425.html Striking a Deal: German Coalition Agrees on Deutsche Bahn Privatization] [[Spiegel Online]], April 29, 2008.</ref> Meanwhile, Beck's decision in early 2008 to allow regional cooperation with the [[Left-wing populism|left-wing populist]] [[The Left (Germany)|Left Party]] in western German state parliaments caused a rift within his party and triggered a slump in opinion poll ratings for the SPD and him personally.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-in-fighting-muentefering-slams-beck-for-left-party-mistake-a-541680.html SPD In-Fighting: Müntefering Slams Beck for Left Party 'Mistake'] ''[[Spiegel Online]]'', March 15, 2008.</ref>
During his time in office as party leader, Beck most notably negotiated an agreement with Merkel’s Christian Democrats in April 2017 on a partial [[privatization]] of national railway [[Deutsche Bahn]]'s passenger and [[DB Cargo|freight]] divisions.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/striking-a-deal-german-coalition-agrees-on-deutsche-bahn-privatization-a-550425.html Striking a Deal: German Coalition Agrees on Deutsche Bahn Privatization] [[Spiegel Online]], 29 April 2008.</ref> Meanwhile, Beck's decision in early 2008 to allow regional cooperation with the [[Left-wing populism|left-wing populist]] [[The Left (Germany)|Left Party]] in western German state parliaments caused a rift within his party and triggered a slump in opinion poll ratings for the SPD and him personally.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-in-fighting-muentefering-slams-beck-for-left-party-mistake-a-541680.html SPD In-Fighting: Müntefering Slams Beck for Left Party 'Mistake'] ''[[Spiegel Online]]'', 15 March 2008.</ref>


On 7 September 2008, Beck resigned as chairman at a party meeting in [[Werder (Havel)|Werder]], Brandenburg and [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] was chosen as the SPD candidate for Chancellor in the 2009 election, while [[Franz Müntefering]] replaced Beck as chairman after an interim of Steinmeier.<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/08/content_9840654.htm "German SPD party reshuffles leadership, with eye on election"], Xinhua, September 7, 2008.</ref> At the time, he said that he was a victim of intrigue inside the SPD.<ref>[http://www.spd.de/menu/1756309/ demission declaration of Kurt Beck (in German)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909193205/http://www.spd.de/menu/1756309/ |date=2008-09-09 }}</ref>
On 7 September 2008, Beck resigned as chairman at a party meeting in [[Werder (Havel)|Werder]], Brandenburg and [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] was chosen as the SPD candidate for Chancellor in the 2009 election, while [[Franz Müntefering]] replaced Beck as chairman after an interim of Steinmeier.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090620062732/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/08/content_9840654.htm "German SPD party reshuffles leadership, with eye on election"], Xinhua, 7 September 2008.</ref> At the time, he said that he was a victim of intrigue inside the SPD.<ref>[http://www.spd.de/menu/1756309/ demission declaration of Kurt Beck (in German)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909193205/http://www.spd.de/menu/1756309/ |date=9 September 2008 }}</ref>


==Life after politics==
==Life after politics==
In March 2017, Beck was appointed the government's official commissioner for the victims of the [[2016 Berlin attack|attack at the Christmas market at Berlin's Breitscheidplatz on December 19, 2016]]. Later that year, together with German Justice Minister [[Heiko Maas]], he presented his final report.<ref>Jefferson Chase (December 13, 2017), [http://www.dw.com/en/german-government-criticized-over-terror-victims-compensation/a-41778143 German government criticized over terror victims compensation] ''[[Deutsche Welle]]''.</ref><ref>Melissa Eddy (December 19, 2017), [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/world/europe/berlin-attack-memorial.html A Year After the Berlin Market Attack, Germany Admits Mistakes] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref>
In March 2017, Beck was appointed the government's official commissioner for the victims of the [[2016 Berlin truck attack|attack at the Christmas market at Berlin's Breitscheidplatz on 19 December 2016]]. Later that year, together with German Justice Minister [[Heiko Maas]], he presented his final report.<ref>Jefferson Chase (13 December 2017), [http://www.dw.com/en/german-government-criticized-over-terror-victims-compensation/a-41778143 German government criticized over terror victims compensation] ''[[Deutsche Welle]]''.</ref><ref>Melissa Eddy (19 December 2017), [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/world/europe/berlin-attack-memorial.html A Year After the Berlin Market Attack, Germany Admits Mistakes] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref>


==Controversies==
==Controversies==


===Henrico Frank===
===Henrico Frank===
Near the end of 2006, Beck recommended to Henrico Frank, an unemployed construction worker from [[Wiesbaden]], to wash himself and shave so he could get a job.<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2273762,00.html Why Germany Needs Fewer Economists, More Stylists | NEWS | Deutsche Welle | 15.12.2006<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Following a media controversy about Beck's behaviour, Frank declined all jobs offered to him by the state chamber. Later, he was hired as a [[punk rock]] expert for [[iMusic TV]].<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,460494,00.html Arbeitsloser Beck-Kritiker: Henrico Frank hat einen Job - Wirtschaft - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Near the end of 2006, Beck recommended to Henrico Frank, an unemployed construction worker from [[Wiesbaden]], to wash himself and shave so he could get a job.<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2273762,00.html Why Germany Needs Fewer Economists, More Stylists | NEWS | Deutsche Welle | 15.12.2006<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Following a media controversy about Beck's behaviour, Frank declined all jobs offered to him by the state chamber. Later, he was hired as a [[punk rock]] expert for [[iMusic TV]].<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,460494,00.html Arbeitsloser Beck-Kritiker: Henrico Frank hat einen Job - Wirtschaft - Spiegel Online - Nachrichten<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


===Afghanistan===
===Afghanistan===
In April 2007, Beck proposed a peace conference in [[Afghanistan]] with the inclusion of "moderate [[Taliban]]".<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,475828,00.html Taliban-Äußerungen: Afghanistans Außenminister hält Beck Ahnungslosigkeit vor - Politik - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, [[Rangin Dadfar Spanta]], thus accused him of being naïve. He compared the idea of "moderate Taliban" to distinguishing between moderate and radical right-wing extremists in [[Rhineland-Palatinate]].<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2433734,00.html Afghan Top Diplomat Rejects German Call for Talks With Taliban | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 05.04.2007<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The German public mostly ignored the affair.
In April 2007, Beck proposed a peace conference in [[Afghanistan]] with the inclusion of "moderate [[Taliban]]".<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,475828,00.html Taliban-Äußerungen: Afghanistans Außenminister hält Beck Ahnungslosigkeit vor - Politik - Spiegel Online - Nachrichten<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, [[Rangin Dadfar Spanta]], thus accused him of being naïve. He compared the idea of "moderate Taliban" to distinguishing between moderate and radical right-wing extremists in [[Rhineland-Palatinate]].<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2433734,00.html Afghan Top Diplomat Rejects German Call for Talks With Taliban | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 05.04.2007<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The German public mostly ignored the affair.


==Other activities==
==Other activities==
===Corporate boards===
===Corporate boards===
* [[Boehringer Ingelheim]], Member of the Advisory Board (since 2013)<ref>[http://unternehmensbericht.boehringer-ingelheim.de/fileadmin/pdf/unternehmensbericht_2013.pdf 2013 Annual Report] [[Boehringer Ingelheim]].</ref>
* [[Boehringer Ingelheim]], Member of the Advisory Board (since 2013)<ref>[http://unternehmensbericht.boehringer-ingelheim.de/fileadmin/pdf/unternehmensbericht_2013.pdf 2013 Annual Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228172813/http://unternehmensbericht.boehringer-ingelheim.de/fileadmin/pdf/unternehmensbericht_2013.pdf |date=28 December 2017 }} [[Boehringer Ingelheim]].</ref>


===Non-profit organizations===
===Non-profit organizations===
* Stiftung Hambacher Schloss, Chair of the Advisory Board (since 2020)<ref>[https://www.rheinpfalz.de/lokal/neustadt_artikel,-neuer-beirat-der-stiftung-hambacher-schloss-kommt-erstmals-zusammen-_arid,5102103.html Neuer Beirat der Stiftung Hambacher Schloss kommt erstmals zusammen] ''[[Die Rheinpfalz]]'', 25 August 2020.</ref>
* [[Speyer Cathedral|European Foundation for the Speyer Cathedral]], Chairman of the Board of Trustees<ref>[https://www.stiftung-kaiserdom.de/ueber-die-stiftung/gremien/ Board of Trustees] [[Speyer Cathedral|European Foundation for the Speyer Cathedral]].</ref>
* [[Speyer Cathedral|European Foundation for the Speyer Cathedral]], Chairman of the Board of Trustees<ref>[https://www.stiftung-kaiserdom.de/ueber-die-stiftung/gremien/ Board of Trustees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171839/https://www.stiftung-kaiserdom.de/ueber-die-stiftung/gremien/ |date=29 December 2018 }} [[Speyer Cathedral|European Foundation for the Speyer Cathedral]].</ref>
* ''Denkwerk Demokratie'', Member of the Advisory Board<ref>[https://www.denkwerk-demokratie.de/?page_id=19 Advisory Board] ''Denkwerk Demokratie''.</ref>
* Fritz Walter Foundation, Chair of the Advisory Board<ref>[http://www.fritz-walter-stiftung.de/zur-stiftung/beirat.html Advisory Board] Fritz Walter Foundation.</ref>
* ''Denkwerk Demokratie'', Member of the Advisory Board<ref>[https://www.denkwerk-demokratie.de/?page_id=19 Advisory Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228232029/https://www.denkwerk-demokratie.de/?page_id=19 |date=28 December 2017 }} ''Denkwerk Demokratie''.</ref>
* Fritz Walter Foundation, Chair of the Advisory Board<ref>[http://www.fritz-walter-stiftung.de/zur-stiftung/beirat.html Advisory Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118230223/http://www.fritz-walter-stiftung.de/zur-stiftung/beirat.html |date=18 November 2017 }} Fritz Walter Foundation.</ref>
* Stefan Morsch Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees (since 2013)<ref>[https://www.stefan-morsch-stiftung.com/presse/news/kurt-beck-ins-kuratorium-der-stefan-morsch-stiftung-gewaehlt/ Kurt Beck ins Kuratorium der Stefan-Morsch-Stiftung gewählt] Stefan Morsch Foundation, press release of June 29, 2013.</ref>
* Stefan Morsch Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees (since 2013)<ref>[https://www.stefan-morsch-stiftung.com/presse/news/kurt-beck-ins-kuratorium-der-stefan-morsch-stiftung-gewaehlt/ Kurt Beck ins Kuratorium der Stefan-Morsch-Stiftung gewählt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228172452/https://www.stefan-morsch-stiftung.com/presse/news/kurt-beck-ins-kuratorium-der-stefan-morsch-stiftung-gewaehlt/ |date=28 December 2017 }} Stefan Morsch Foundation, press release of 29 June 2013.</ref>
* Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF), Member of the Board of Trustees<ref>[https://stiftung-ihf.de/index.php/en/organization/board-of-trustees Board of Trustees] Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF).</ref>
* Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF), Member of the Board of Trustees<ref>[https://stiftung-ihf.de/index.php/en/organization/board-of-trustees Board of Trustees] Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF).</ref>
* Stiftung Tausendgut, Member of the Board of Trustees<ref>[https://stiftung-tausendgut.de/index.php/gremien.html Board of Trustees] Stiftung Tausendgut.</ref>
* Stiftung Tausendgut, Member of the Board of Trustees<ref>[https://stiftung-tausendgut.de/index.php/gremien.html Board of Trustees] Stiftung Tausendgut.</ref>
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news/2007/08/14/beck-kurt-interview-NEU-/schiessbefehl-linkspartei,geo=2313932.html Interview with the BILD, Part One, German]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071117083259/http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news/2007/08/14/beck-kurt-interview-NEU-/schiessbefehl-linkspartei,geo=2313932.html Interview with the BILD, Part One, German]
* [http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news/2007/08/15/beck-kurt-interview/2.teil-rente,geo=2319884.html Interview with the BILD, Part Two, German]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071202095734/http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news/2007/08/15/beck-kurt-interview/2.teil-rente,geo=2319884.html Interview with the BILD, Part Two, German]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
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[[Category:People from Bad Bergzabern]]
[[Category:People from Bad Bergzabern]]
[[Category:German Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:German Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Presidents of the German Bundesrat]]
[[Category:Members of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate]]
[[Category:Members of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate]]
[[Category:Social Democratic Party of Germany politicians]]
[[Category:Social Democratic Party of Germany politicians]]
[[Category:Leaders of political parties in Germany]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Star of Romania]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Star of Romania]]
[[Category:Grand Officiers of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]]
[[Category:Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]]
[[Category:Ministers-President of Rhineland Palatinate]]
[[Category:Ministers-President of Rhineland Palatinate]]

Latest revision as of 17:01, 18 February 2024

Kurt Beck
Beck in 2011
Leader of the Social Democratic Party
In office
10 April 2006 – 7 September 2008
General SecretaryHubertus Heil
DeputyFrank-Walter Steinmeier
Andrea Nahles
Peer Steinbrück
Bärbel Dieckmann
Preceded byMatthias Platzeck
Succeeded byFrank-Walter Steinmeier (acting)
Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate
In office
26 October 1994 – 15 January 2013
Deputy
Preceded byRudolf Scharping
Succeeded byMalu Dreyer
President of the Bundesrat
In office
1 November 2000 – 31 October 2001
First Vice PresidentKurt Biedenkopf
Preceded byKurt Biedenkopf
Succeeded byKlaus Wowereit
Parliamentary constituencies
Member of the
Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate
In office
21 May 1991 – 5 February 2013
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byAlexander Schweitzer
ConstituencySüdliche Weinstraße
In office
18 May 1979 – 21 May 1991
Preceded bymulti-member district
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
ConstituencyWahlkreis 4
Personal details
Born (1949-02-05) 5 February 1949 (age 75)
Bad Bergzabern, French occupation zone, Allied-occupied Germany {(now Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)
Political partySocial Democratic Party (1972–)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • Radio Engineer
  • Consultant
Military service
Allegiance Germany
Branch/service Bundeswehr
Years of service1968–1969
UnitArmy (Heer)

Kurt Beck (born 5 February 1949) is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), who served as the 7th Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate from 1994 to 2013 and as the 55th President of the Bundesrat in 2000–01. In May 2006, he succeeded Matthias Platzeck as chairman of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD). He resigned from that post in September 2008.

On 28 September 2012 Beck announced his resignation from the post of minister-president. He was succeeded by social minister Malu Dreyer.[1][2]

Following Peter Struck's death in 2012, Beck – together with Dieter Schulte – became the chair of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation; he served until 2020, when he was replaced with Martin Schulz.[3][4]

Early life and career[edit]

Beck was born in Bad Bergzabern, Rhineland-Palatinate, to the bricklayer Oskar Beck and his wife Johanna. Both his parents had their roots in the town Kapsweyer in southern Rhenish Palatinate. He grew up in Steinfeld.

From 1963 to 1968, Beck became an electrician. After military duty in 1968 and 1969, he graduated from an evening school in 1972. Since then, he served as an employee representative on works councils.

Political career[edit]

Angela Merkel and Beck in 2007

After joining the SPD in 1972, mainly because of the Party's programme as well as the personality of Willy Brandt, Beck became chairman of the SPD of Rhineland Palatinate in 1993 and deputy chairman of the federal party in 2003. He served in this function until 14 May 2006.

Beck has been active in local affairs since 1974, when he was first elected a member of the Kreistag. From 1989 to 1994, he was mayor of his hometown Steinfeld. From 1979, he was a directly elected member of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate, in which he served as the speaker for social affairs of the Parliamentary group of the SPD (from 1982 to 1985) and as a member of the governing body of the group from 1985 to 1991, when he was elected chairman.

Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate, 1994–2013[edit]

On 26 October 1994 Kurt Beck was elected Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate, succeeding Rudolf Scharping. He was re-elected three times, in 1996, 2001 and 2006. As Minister President he was known for his centrist approach, which is also apparent from the choice of his coalition partner (the liberal FDP instead of the left-wing Green Party, with which the SPD has recently allied itself). In this respect, he follows the policy of Scharping. In March 2006, Beck's SPD gained an absolute majority in the state elections; Beck offered to continue the coalition but since the FDP declined, the SPD formed a government without a partner. After Edmund Stoiber resigned in 2007, Beck was the senior Minister President in Germany.

During his time in office, Beck's decisions in Rhineland-Palatinate to increase efficiency in the state government via administrative reorganisation, and to introduce full-day schooling and free kindergartens, drew national attention. The state also emerged as one of the country’s top economic performers.[5] When the United States Armed Forces closed dozens of camps and barracks with the loss of 100,000 jobs, Beck's government invested heavily in retraining schemes, creating 40,000 new jobs.[6]

In 2000 and 2001, Beck was President of the Bundesrat, one of his duties as Minister President.

In September 2012, Beck announced his resignation. He had been under pressure for weeks over the bankruptcy of the Nürburgring motorsports complex in Rhineland-Palatinate, one of the world's most famous race tracks.[7]

Chairman of the SPD, 2006–2008[edit]

When Matthias Platzeck had to resign for medical reasons in 2006, Beck was officially elected as chairman of the SPD with the approval of 95% of the delegates.[8] He became the party’s fourth chairman in seven years.[9]

Beck decided not to join the cabinet and succeed Vice-Chancellor Franz Müntefering because it would have prevented him from criticizing Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government.[10] According to public opinion polls during his time as party chairman, his possibilities of becoming Chancellor, if he had run for this office in the 2009 election, had been very limited. According to Süddeutsche Zeitung,[11] only 16% of Germans would have elected him in the hypothetical case of a direct vote against Angela Merkel.

During his time in office as party leader, Beck most notably negotiated an agreement with Merkel’s Christian Democrats in April 2017 on a partial privatization of national railway Deutsche Bahn's passenger and freight divisions.[12] Meanwhile, Beck's decision in early 2008 to allow regional cooperation with the left-wing populist Left Party in western German state parliaments caused a rift within his party and triggered a slump in opinion poll ratings for the SPD and him personally.[13]

On 7 September 2008, Beck resigned as chairman at a party meeting in Werder, Brandenburg and Frank-Walter Steinmeier was chosen as the SPD candidate for Chancellor in the 2009 election, while Franz Müntefering replaced Beck as chairman after an interim of Steinmeier.[14] At the time, he said that he was a victim of intrigue inside the SPD.[15]

Life after politics[edit]

In March 2017, Beck was appointed the government's official commissioner for the victims of the attack at the Christmas market at Berlin's Breitscheidplatz on 19 December 2016. Later that year, together with German Justice Minister Heiko Maas, he presented his final report.[16][17]

Controversies[edit]

Henrico Frank[edit]

Near the end of 2006, Beck recommended to Henrico Frank, an unemployed construction worker from Wiesbaden, to wash himself and shave so he could get a job.[18] Following a media controversy about Beck's behaviour, Frank declined all jobs offered to him by the state chamber. Later, he was hired as a punk rock expert for iMusic TV.[19]

Afghanistan[edit]

In April 2007, Beck proposed a peace conference in Afghanistan with the inclusion of "moderate Taliban".[20] The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, thus accused him of being naïve. He compared the idea of "moderate Taliban" to distinguishing between moderate and radical right-wing extremists in Rhineland-Palatinate.[21] The German public mostly ignored the affair.

Other activities[edit]

Corporate boards[edit]

Non-profit organizations[edit]

  • Stiftung Hambacher Schloss, Chair of the Advisory Board (since 2020)[23]
  • European Foundation for the Speyer Cathedral, Chairman of the Board of Trustees[24]
  • Denkwerk Demokratie, Member of the Advisory Board[25]
  • Fritz Walter Foundation, Chair of the Advisory Board[26]
  • Stefan Morsch Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees (since 2013)[27]
  • Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF), Member of the Board of Trustees[28]
  • Stiftung Tausendgut, Member of the Board of Trustees[29]

Honours and awards[edit]

1983: Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
2001: Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania
2004 Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
Grand Cross of the Order Pro Merito Melitensi of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of the French Republic
1997: Honorary Master of the Palatine Crafts
2005: Business Award of the Union of medium-sized enterprises
Order of Merit of the Senate of the Republic of Chile
Honorary Citizen of Opole, Poland
Honorary doctorate from Francis Marion University (USA)
Honorary Citizen of the southern Chinese province of Fujian
Commandeur of the wine fraternity Chevaliers du Tastevin, France

Personal life[edit]

Beck is Catholic. He lives with his wife, Roswitha, whom he married in 1968 in Steinfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate. They have one son (Stefan Beck).

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Steinbrück: We want to remove this government". Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  2. ^ "Beck hört als Ministerpräsident und SPD-Chef in Rheinland-Pfalz auf". Der Spiegel. 28 September 2012.
  3. ^ Martin Schulz zum Vorsitzenden der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. gewählt Friedrich Ebert Foundation, press release of 14 December 2020.
  4. ^ Schulz zum Chef der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung gewählt Der Spiegel, 15 December 2020.
  5. ^ Hugh Williamson (12 May 2006), Doubts surround SPD’s down-to-earth new leader Financial Times.
  6. ^ Judy Dempsey (10 April 2006), Party chief resigns in Germany New York Times.
  7. ^ Theme Park Scandal German State Governor Expected to Resign Friday Spiegel Online, 28 September 2012.
  8. ^ Kurt Beck valgt til formand for tyske socialdemokrater
  9. ^ Hugh Williamson (12 May 2006), Doubts surround SPD’s down-to-earth new leader Financial Times.
  10. ^ Judy Dempsey (14 November 2007), Merkel's coalition is facing discontent International Herald Tribune.
  11. ^ SPD-Chef Beck im Tief Viele SPD-Wähler bevorzugen Merkel - Deutschland - sueddeutsche.de Archived 3 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Striking a Deal: German Coalition Agrees on Deutsche Bahn Privatization Spiegel Online, 29 April 2008.
  13. ^ SPD In-Fighting: Müntefering Slams Beck for Left Party 'Mistake' Spiegel Online, 15 March 2008.
  14. ^ "German SPD party reshuffles leadership, with eye on election", Xinhua, 7 September 2008.
  15. ^ demission declaration of Kurt Beck (in German) Archived 9 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Jefferson Chase (13 December 2017), German government criticized over terror victims compensation Deutsche Welle.
  17. ^ Melissa Eddy (19 December 2017), A Year After the Berlin Market Attack, Germany Admits Mistakes New York Times.
  18. ^ Why Germany Needs Fewer Economists, More Stylists | NEWS | Deutsche Welle | 15.12.2006
  19. ^ Arbeitsloser Beck-Kritiker: Henrico Frank hat einen Job - Wirtschaft - Spiegel Online - Nachrichten
  20. ^ Taliban-Äußerungen: Afghanistans Außenminister hält Beck Ahnungslosigkeit vor - Politik - Spiegel Online - Nachrichten
  21. ^ Afghan Top Diplomat Rejects German Call for Talks With Taliban | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 05.04.2007
  22. ^ 2013 Annual Report Archived 28 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Boehringer Ingelheim.
  23. ^ Neuer Beirat der Stiftung Hambacher Schloss kommt erstmals zusammen Die Rheinpfalz, 25 August 2020.
  24. ^ Board of Trustees Archived 29 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine European Foundation for the Speyer Cathedral.
  25. ^ Advisory Board Archived 28 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Denkwerk Demokratie.
  26. ^ Advisory Board Archived 18 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine Fritz Walter Foundation.
  27. ^ Kurt Beck ins Kuratorium der Stefan-Morsch-Stiftung gewählt Archived 28 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Stefan Morsch Foundation, press release of 29 June 2013.
  28. ^ Board of Trustees Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF).
  29. ^ Board of Trustees Stiftung Tausendgut.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kurt Beck.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate
1994–2013 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany
2006–2008 		Succeeded by
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