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Architects of Unification - Lothar de Maizière

May 19, 2010

Lothar de Maizière was the first and last freely-elected head of government in previously communist German Democratic Republic.

Lothar de Maiziere on the 18th of March, 1990Image: picture alliance/ dpa

In early 1990, East Germany held free elections ... for the first time, but also for the last, since it ceased to exist after unification with West Germany a few months later. After those elections, De Maiziere was a prime minister for just five and a half months. His unusual mission: to help his own country abolish itself, thus pavíng the way for German reunification. The passionate musician is now a lawyer in Berlin.

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