Malu Dreyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Malu Dreyer
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Dreyer in 2023
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| Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate | |
| In office 16 January 2013 – 10 July 2024 |
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| Deputy | Eveline Lemke Volker Wissing Anne Spiegel Katharina Binz |
| Preceded by | Kurt Beck |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Schweitzer |
| Leader of the Social Democratic Party |
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Acting
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| In office 3 June 2019 – 6 December 2019 Serving with Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Manuela Schwesig
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| General Secretary | Lars Klingbeil |
| Preceded by | Andrea Nahles |
| Succeeded by | Norbert Walter-Borjans Saskia Esken |
| Deputy Leader of the Social Democratic Party |
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| In office 7 December 2017 – 6 December 2019 Serving with Olaf Scholz, Manuela Schwesig, Ralf Stegner Natascha Kohnen, Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel
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| Leader | Martin Schulz Andrea Nahles |
| Preceded by | Aydan Özoğuz |
| Succeeded by | Anke Rehlinger |
| President of the Bundesrat | |
| In office 1 November 2016 – 31 October 2017 |
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| First Vice President | Stanislaw Tillich |
| Preceded by | Stanislaw Tillich |
| Succeeded by | Michael Müller |
| Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Rhineland-Palatinate | |
| In office 15 March 2002 – 15 January 2013 |
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| Minister-President |
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| Preceded by | Florian Gerster |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Schweitzer |
| Member of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate for Trier |
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| In office 18 May 2006 – 1 August 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Christoph Grimm |
| Succeeded by | Sven Teuber |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Marie-Luise Dreyer
6 February 1961 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Rhineland-Palatinate, West Germany |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party (1995–) |
| Spouse | Klaus Jensen |
| Alma mater | Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz |
Marie-Luise "Malu" Dreyer (born 6 February 1961) is a German politician. She belongs to the Social Democratic Party (SPD). From 2013 to 2024, she served as the 8th Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate. This is a very important leadership role in one of Germany's states.
Malu Dreyer was the first woman to hold this high office in Rhineland-Palatinate. She also served a one-year term as the President of the Federal Council (Bundesrat). This made her the deputy to the President of Germany during that time. She was the second woman to be President of the Federal Council. On 19 June 2024, she announced that she would step down from her role as Minister-President on 10 July.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Malu Dreyer was born in 1961. She was the second of three children. Her parents were both teachers.
In 1977, she spent a year as an exchange student in California, USA. She attended Claremont High School there. After returning to Germany, she finished her high school exams (called Abitur) in 1980.
Dreyer then started studying English and Roman Catholic theology at the University of Mainz. However, she soon changed her mind. The next year, she switched to studying jurisprudence (law). She completed her first state law exam in 1987. Three years later, she passed her second state law exam with excellent results.
Political Career
After finishing her studies, Malu Dreyer worked at the University of Mainz. She was a research assistant from 1989. In 1991, she became a probationary judge. Later, she worked as a prosecutor in Bad Kreuznach.
Joining the SPD
Malu Dreyer joined the SPD in 1995. This marked the start of her political journey. From 1995 to 1997, she served as the mayor of the city of Bad Kreuznach.
In 1997, she became the head of a department in Mainz. This department dealt with social affairs, youth, and housing.
Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate
In 2002, Malu Dreyer became the State Minister for Social Affairs, Labor, Health, and Demography. She held this position for many years. In 2012, the then-Minister-President, Kurt Beck, announced he would resign. Malu Dreyer was chosen to be his successor.
On 16 January 2013, she was officially elected as the Minister-President. She was the first woman to lead the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
As a representative for Rhineland-Palatinate, Dreyer served in the Bundesrat. This is Germany's Federal Council, where states have a say in national laws. She was part of committees dealing with foreign affairs and European Union matters.
In the 2016 state elections, Malu Dreyer was very popular. She led her party to a win with 36.2% of the votes. This meant the SPD stayed in power for their sixth term in a row.
During her time as Minister-President, her government made important decisions. One decision was to sell the state's share in Frankfurt–Hahn Airport.
In late 2017, SPD members elected Dreyer to a national leadership role. She became a vice chair of the party. She also played a role in forming the national government after the 2017 federal elections. She led a group focused on health policy.
In 2022, her party nominated her to be a delegate. This meant she helped elect the President of Germany in the 2022 election.
Other Activities
Malu Dreyer has also been involved in many other important organizations:
- ZDF, chairwoman of the Board of Directors, since 2017. ZDF is a major German TV channel.
- Max Planck Society, member of the Senate. This is a leading research organization.
- Central Committee of German Catholics, member.
- Deutsches Museum, member of the Board of Trustees. This is a large science and technology museum.
- Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), member. This foundation promotes democracy and education.
- Fritz Walter Foundation, member of the Advisory Board.
- Stiftung Mainzer Herz, member of the Board of Trustees.
- Stiftung Rheinland-Pfalz für Kultur, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees. This foundation supports culture in Rhineland-Palatinate.
- European Foundation for the Speyer Cathedral, member of the Board of Trustees.
Honours
In 2023, Malu Dreyer received a high honour. She was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is one of Germany's highest awards.
Personal Life
Since 2004, Malu Dreyer has been married to Klaus Jensen. He is also a politician from the SPD. He used to be the mayor of Trier.
In 1994, Malu Dreyer was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This is a condition that affects movement. She shared this information with the public in 2006. When she travels longer distances, she often uses a wheelchair.
See also
In Spanish: Malu Dreyer para niños
