Günter Hartmann (born March 18, 1930) is a German politician who was chairman of the

National Democratic Party of Germany National Democratic Party of Germany (, NPD), officially called The Homeland () since 2023, is a Far-right politics, far-right, Neo-Nazism, neo-Nazi and Ultranationalism, ultranationalist political party in Germany. It was founded in 1964 as ...

, and a member of the

Volkskammer The Volkskammer (, "People's Chamber") was the supreme power organ of East Germany. It was the only branch of government in the state, and per the principle of unified power, all state organs were subservient to it. The Volkskammer was initia ...

Life

Hartmann was born on March 18, 1930, in

Halberstadt Halberstadt (; Eastphalian dialect, Eastphalian: ''Halverstidde'') is a town in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in central Germany, the capital of Harz (district), Harz district. Located north of the Harz mountain range, it is known for its old town ...

. Following the end of the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, he became a member of the

Free German Youth The Free German Youth (; FDJ) is a youth movement in Germany. Formerly, it was the official youth wing of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. The organization was meant for young adults, both male a ...

and the

Free German Trade Union Federation The Free German Trade Union Federation ( or ''FDGB'') was the sole national trade union centre of the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) which existed from 1946 to 1990. As a mass organisation of the GDR, nominally representing al ...

. From 1947 to 1948 Hartmann studied at the

Freiberg University of Mining and Technology The Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (abbreviation: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, TUBAF) is a public Institute of technology, university of technology with 3,471 students in the city of Freiberg, Saxony, Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. The u ...

, graduating as a surveyor. In 1949, he joined the

(NDPD). Beginning in 1951, Hartmann worked varying positions as an NDPD party functionary. In 1973, Hartmann became a member of the

. He served on the Volkskammer's foreign affairs committee. Between 1972 and 1989, he was a member of the national council of the National Front. Between From May 1987 to November 1989, Hartmann served as deputy chairman of the

. He then assumed leadership of the party in December 1989, following the forced resignation of chairman

Heinrich Homann Heinrich Homann (6 March 1911 – 4 May 1994) was a German communism, communist politician and former Wehrmacht officer who held a number of offices in the German Democratic Republic. Biography Heinrich Homann was born on 6 March 1911, the son ...

. Hartmann held the position of chairman of the NDPD only briefly. He returned to the role of deputy chairman in January 1990, with Wolfgang Glaeser taking over as chairman. During this period, Hartmann was a proponent of a confederation between the East and West Germany, rather than a total reunification. In March 1990, he retired from his position as deputy chairman. Hartmann then became a member of the

Association of Free Democrats The Association of Free Democrats () was a liberal electoral coalition, later party, formed in East Germany on 12 February 1990. It originally consisted of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Free Democratic Party (East Germany) and the German Fo ...

, and later the Free Democratic Party.

Awards

Banner of Labor The Banner of Labor () was an order issued in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was given for "excellent and long-standing service in strengthening and consolidating the GDR, especially for achieving outstanding results for the national ec ...

, 1st Class (1980) *

Patriotic Order of Merit The Patriotic Order of Merit (German: ''Vaterländischer Verdienstorden'', or VVO) was a national award granted annually in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was founded in 1954 and was awarded to individuals and institutions for outstanding ...

, in bronze (1964); in silver (1972 and 1977); in gold (1985)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hartmann, Gunter Living people 1930 births People from Halberstadt Free Democratic Party (Germany) politicians Recipients of the Banner of Labor Recipients of the Patriotic Order of Merit in gold Members of the Volkskammer