Eberhard Diepgen
| Eberhard Diepgen | |
|---|---|
Eberhard Diepgen, 1989
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| Governing Mayor of Berlin | |
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In office 1990–2001 |
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| Preceded by | Walter Momper |
| Succeeded by | Klaus Wowereit |
| Member of the Berlin House of Representatives | |
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In office 1971–2001 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
13 November 1941 Berlin |
| Nationality | German |
| Political party | Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) |
| Residence | Berlin |
| Alma mater | Free University of Berlin |
Eberhard Diepgen (born 13 November 1941 in Berlin-Wedding) is a German politician of the CDU.
Diepgen studied law at the Free University of Berlin.
Diepgen was mayor of West Berlin from 1984 to 1989 and a reunited Berlin from 1991 to 2001.
In February 1984, the West Berlin House of Deputies elected Diepgen, who ran unopposed, as the city's new Mayor. He replaced Richard von Weizsäcker, who resigned to take the post of President of West Germany. Under Diepgen’s leadership, the CDU also won the 1985 state elections.
In March 1987, Diepgen visited Washington, D.C. for meetings with President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George H. Bush, and National Security Advisor Frank Carlucci.
Also in March 1987, Diepgen was invited by East German leader Erich Honecker to come to East Berlin to join celebrations marking the 750th anniversary of the founding of Berlin in the 13th century. Apparently bowing to Soviet pressure, East Germany later canceled its invitation.
In late 1988, Diepgen called a state election on relatively short notice, hoping to capitalize on his personal popularity and to pre-empt an assault on the Christian Democrats over local problems such as a housing shortage and unpopular national policies, including proposed changes in the health service. In January 1989, his center-right government suffered severe losses in a state election that saw an unexpectedly strong showing by a far-right party, which campaigned on an anti-foreigner platform, and a win of the Social Democrats under Walter Momper. Diepgen subsequently resigned from his office and became the leader of the opposition.
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