Kurt Beck

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Kurt Beck, 2004.

Kurt Beck (born February 5, 1949) is a German politician and since 1994 the prime minister of the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz). He was officially elected as chairman of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) on May 14, 2006 [1] with the approval of 95 % of the delegates. He succeeded Matthias Platzeck who resigned on April 10, 2006 due to medical reasons.

[edit] Biography

Beck was born in Bad Bergzabern, Palatinate, to a rather humble family, his father being a bricklayer. Both his parents had their roots in the town Kapsweyer in southern Rhenish Palatinate.

Kurt Beck and Johannes Rau at the East Asia Institute in 2000.

After his apprenticeship Beck worked as an electrical mechanic and went on as an employee representative on works councils. He joined the SPD in 1972. Beck became chairman of the SPD of Rhineland Palatinate in 1993 and deputy chairman of the federal party in 2003. As prime minister he is 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, which is the traditional ally of the SPD).

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.

Kurt Beck and his wife, Roswitha live in Steinfeld, southern Rhineland-Palatinate. They have one son.

Preceded by: Rudolf Scharping	Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate 1994-	Succeeded by: incumbent
Preceded by: Matthias Platzeck	Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany 2006-	Succeeded by: incumbent