Walter Momper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Momper
Regierender Bürgermeister a.D.
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Momper at the Brandenburg Gate in 2007
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| Governing Mayor of Berlin (West Berlin to 3 October 1990) | |
| In office 16 March 1989 – 24 January 1991 |
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| President | Richard von Weizsäcker |
| Chancellor | Helmut Kohl |
| Deputy | Ingrid Stahmer |
| Preceded by | Eberhard Diepgen |
| Succeeded by | Eberhard Diepgen (Unified Berlin) |
| President of the Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin | |
| In office 19 November 2001 – 27 October 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Reinhard Führer |
| Succeeded by | Ralf Wieland |
| Member of the Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin | |
| In office 2 March 1975 – 18 September 2011 |
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| Constituency | Social Democratic Party List |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 February 1945 Sulingen, Lower Saxony, Germany |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
Walter Momper (born 21 February 1945) is a German politician. He is a member of the SPD, which is one of Germany's main political parties. Mr. Momper served as the Governing Mayor of Berlin during a very important time in history. He was the mayor of West Berlin from 1989 to 1990, and then became the first mayor of a reunited Berlin from 1990 to 1991.
During his time as Mayor, he also led the Bundesrat, which is like a council where German states work together. He was present when the famous Brandenburg Gate was opened on 22 December 1989. This was a huge moment for Germany, as it symbolized the coming together of East and West Berlin.
Contents
Walter Momper's Life Story
Walter Momper was born in Sulingen, a town near Bremen in Germany. He went to school in Bremen. After finishing school in 1964, he decided to study political science, history, and economics. He studied at universities in Münster, Munich, and Berlin. He finished his studies in 1969 with a degree in political science.
After university, he worked as a research assistant at the Free University of Berlin. He also worked as a research fellow at the Secret Prussian State Archives. From 1972 to 1986, he was a research associate and director at the Historical Commission in Berlin. Later, after his time as mayor, he worked in business, managing a company in Berlin.
Early Political Steps
Walter Momper joined the SPD party in 1967. He quickly became an important figure in the party. From 1986 to 1992, he was the leader of the SPD in Berlin. He was also a member of the SPD's national leadership from 1988 to 1993.
In 1975, Mr. Momper was elected to the Berlin House of Representatives. This is like Berlin's local parliament. By 1985, he became the leader of the SPD group in this parliament.
Leading Berlin During Change
In 1989, the SPD, led by Walter Momper, won the elections in Berlin. This was a big surprise, as the previous government had been in power for a long time. On 16 March 1989, Walter Momper was elected as the Governing Mayor of Berlin. His government was a "Red-Green coalition," meaning it was formed by the SPD and the Alternative List (which was similar to the Green Party in Berlin). This government was special because it had more women than men in leadership roles.
One of the most historic events during his time as mayor was the opening of the Berlin Wall. This happened on the night of 9 to 10 November 1989. Mr. Momper said he knew about the plans for the wall to open a few weeks before. His famous words, "Berlin, now rejoice," were heard around the world.
He played a key role in bringing the two parts of Berlin together. On 12 December 1989, he met with Hans Modrow, the Prime Minister of East Germany. They agreed to create a temporary committee to help connect East and West Berlin and the surrounding areas.
National Role and Later Career
As the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Walter Momper also served as the President of the Bundesrat from 1 November 1989 to 31 October 1990. This meant he was the deputy to the President of Germany.
After the reunification of Germany, Berlin held new elections on 2 December 1990. The SPD did not win this election, and Mr. Momper's predecessor, Eberhard Diepgen, became mayor again on 24 January 1991.
Mr. Momper continued to be involved in politics. He remained the SPD state chairman for a while. In 1999, he was again elected as a member of the Berlin House of Representatives. He became the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies.
After another election in 2001, the SPD became the strongest party. Walter Momper was then elected as the President of the Chamber of Deputies. He held this important position after the 2006 elections as well. He decided not to run for re-election in 2011 and chaired his last meeting of the Chamber of Deputies on 1 September 2011.
Personal Life
Walter Momper is known for often wearing a red scarf in public. This scarf became so famous that people called it the "Momper Scarf." He is married to Anne Momper and they have two children.
See also
In Spanish: Walter Momper para niños
