Rita Süssmuth, Former Bundestag President and CDU Minister, Passes Away

Rita Süssmuth, a prominent figure in German politics and a longstanding member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has died. Süssmuth played a significant role in shaping modern German policy, particularly in the fields of family affairs, health, women's rights, and migration.

Born in Wuppertal in 1937, Süssmuth began her academic career as a professor of educational science at the age of 34. During the 1970s, she held a chair at the University of Dortmund and contributed to various committees within the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs. In 1981, she joined the CDU and quickly rose through the ranks, being appointed Federal Minister for Youth, Family, and Health in 1985 under Chancellor Helmut Kohl. In 1986, her portfolio expanded to include women's affairs, making her Germany's first Federal Minister for Women.

From 1988 to 1998, Süssmuth served as President of the German Bundestag, the second woman to hold this position after Annemarie Renger. During her tenure, she was instrumental in supporting major cultural projects, such as the wrapping of the Reichstag building by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude in 1995. Her leadership style was characterized by a commitment to social issues and parliamentary integrity.

Süssmuth was a vocal advocate for reforms in several areas. She played a key part in modernizing legislation on abortion, supporting changes to Paragraph 218 of the German Criminal Code. Her stance emphasized prevention and support rather than marginalization, a principle that guided her engagement with public health challenges, including her advocacy for people with AIDS at a time when stigma was widespread.

Her influence extended to migration policy, a topic that was often contentious within her party. As early as the mid-1990s, Süssmuth was among the first leading CDU politicians to publicly recognize Germany as a country of immigration. From 2000 to 2001, she chaired the government's commission on migration, and between 2002 and 2004, she led the Advisory Council on Migration and Integration, an expert body formed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Her work contributed to the development of Germany's modern migration framework. Additionally, from 2003 to 2005, she collaborated with the United Nations Global Commission on International Migration.

After her parliamentary career, Süssmuth continued to serve in various public roles. She was appointed to the Advisory Commission on the return of cultural property seized as a result of Nazi persecution, especially that belonging to Jewish families. Süssmuth was also active in cross-border dialogue as President and later Honorary President of the German Poland Institute. Her commitment to adult education was reflected in her 27-year tenure as President of the German Adult Education Association, after which she became its Honorary President.

Her contributions to Catholic civic life were substantial. Süssmuth led the Commission for Marriage and Family at the Central Committee of German Catholics and served as Vice President of the Association of Catholic Families from 1980 to 1985. Her broad engagement in public life, both in and outside politics, earned her widespread respect across the political spectrum.

Rita Süssmuth will be remembered for her pioneering efforts to advance women's rights, encourage social inclusion, and modernize German society. Her legacy is marked by a dedication to dialogue, progressive policy, and the promotion of democratic values.