Karl Arnold
| Karl Arnold | |
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Acting head of state of Germany (West Germany) According to Article 57 of the Basic Law |
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In office 7 September 1949 – 12 September 1949 |
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| Succeeded by | Theodor Heuss |
| Minister President of the North Rhine-Westphalia | |
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In office 17 June 1947 – 20 February 1956 |
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| Preceded by | Rudolf Amelunxen |
| Succeeded by | Fritz Steinhoff |
| President of the German Bundesrat | |
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In office 1949–1950 |
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| Preceded by | office created |
| Succeeded by | Hans Ehard |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
21 March 1901 Herrlishöfen, Württemberg |
| Died | 29 June 1958 (aged 57) Düsseldorf |
| Political party | CDU, previously Centre Party |
| Spouse(s) | Liesel Joeres |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Karl Arnold (21 March 1901 – 29 June 1958) was a German politician. He was Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia from 1947 to 1956. From 7 September 1949 until 8 September 1950 he was President of the Bundesrat and ex officio deputy to the President of Germany. Because of that and because the first President Theodor Heuss was elected on 13 September 1949 he he was acting head of state of Germany from 7 September to 13 September 1949, which makes him the shortest serving head of state in german history. He is, together with Jens Böhrnsen (in 2010) and Horst Seehofer (in 2012), one of the three Presidents of the Bundesrat who have acted as head of state during a vacancy of the office of President, according to Article 57 of the Basic Law.
Arnold was born in Herrlishöfen in Württemberg on 21 March 1901. He was trained as shoemaker and later (1920/21) studied at the Soziale Hochschule Leohaus, Munich.
From 1920 onwards, Arnold worked as functionary of the movement of Christian workers. In 1924, he became secretary of the Christian workers union for the Düsseldorf region. He was elected in the town council of Düsseldorf for the Centre Party in 1929.
In 1933, Arnold was co-owner of a sanitary installation shop in Düsseldorf. The Gestapo observed and hunted him in the following years because of his political activities. In 1944, he was jailed by the Gestapo.
After World War II, Arnold became politically active again. In 1945, he was co-founder of the local Christian-Democratic Party in Düsseldorf, which became part of the CDU later in 1945. Also in 1945, the Düsseldorf chapter of the united workers union was founded, presided by Arnold. On 29 January 1946 Arnold was named mayor of Düsseldorf and later elected in the first free elections (26 October 1946).
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