Germany

Comment: A man, of the freedom of loved

Guido Westerwelle – is a contradictory character. He led the liberals to unexpected heights, and even in the deepest crisis of its history. A personal assessment of DW editor-in-chief Alexander Kudascheff.

Guido Westerwelle was one of the most successful liberals of the post-war period. And one of the hapless. He led the FDP to incredible heights and your depths of the crash in the latest Bundestag election of responsible. He stood for a political and also personally lived liberalism, the only one thing was important: freedom. The freedom of the citizen and the freedom of the company. He lived it. By he as a homosexual “came out” – for a politician is still a brave step into the Public sphere.

A Feared Speaker

Guido Westerwelle polarized but also. He could be in personal relations freely, generously, openly, and face, was ice-cold neo-liberal. To do this, its just as brilliant and sharp rhetoric. Hardly anyone could be better, quick-witted, pointed speeches than he is. That’s why he was feared and respected. But it is not popular. His cutting Speeches in the Bundestag and also in the case of election campaigns, put opponent to him than arrogance. However, he was often just think about it.

DW editor-in-chief Alexander Kudascheff

His finest hour: the Bundestag election of 2009. He led his party, the FDP, to almost unimaginable to almost 15 percent. The FDP since 1949. The liberals seemed on the way to more than one party, which is the majority earner. Had won Westerwelle on the election with a promise: It is a tax reform that creates a fair, simple, fair and understandable tax system for the citizens. In the weeks of coalition negotiations, but Westerwelle gave in and renounced and agreed to even a reduction of VAT for hotel accommodation. An irreparable political mistake. And he agreed to become foreign Minister.

Dream Life Foreign Minister

That was probably his life’s dream: foreign Minister of Germany. In succession to Hans-Dietrich Genscher, who had served 18 years and the Father of the FDP was, and is, until today. However, as foreign Minister, he was unhappy. Even rational decisions not to participate, for example, in a military bombing of Libya – came to a political Disaster. After two years, and a number of severe electoral defeats, he gave up his office as party Chairman, but remained as foreign Minister. The office he gave but no embossing. With the devastating electoral defeat in the General election 2013 – as the FDP for the first time nationally at the Five-percent-hurdle – ended failed in his political career. The low point West of Welles. Because he was made for the unprecedented decline of the party responsible. Since then, he was in political retirement.

The leukemia hit him. Against them, he struggled. In vain. Westerwelle was a politician with extraordinary skills. A brilliant speaker. A man who stood for freedom and they lived. Unconventional. Brave. A man who sought the limelight, Yes loved – and heavy-infringing criticism of the media suffered. Behind his often dashing and self-confident appearance of a more vulnerable character. It is a politician who has a lot of daring that has moved the Republic. And has shown the liberals that, in Germany, even the seemingly impossible is possible.

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