Johannes Rau - Political biography, Motto and maxim, Private life

German politician and president (1999–2004), born in Wuppertal-Barmen, W Germany. He dropped out of school in 1949 and was first a bookseller's apprentice and then a manager in a publishing company before becoming a full-time politician. First elected to the North Rhine–Westphalia state parliament in 1957 (to 1999), he also served as mayor of Wuppertal (1969–70) and became a member of the Social Democratic Party Executive (1968–99). Minister for science and research in the state government (1970–8), and then minister president (1978–98), he was chair of the party state organization (1977–99) before being elected federal president. During his time in office, he promoted ties between Germany and Israel as well as encouraging his country to welcome foreigners.

Johannes Rau

President of Germany
In office July 1, 1999 – June 30, 2004
Preceded by	Roman Herzog
Succeeded by	Horst Köhler
Born	January 16, 1931 Wuppertal
Died	January 27, 2006 Berlin
Political party	SPD
Spouse	Christina Rau
Profession	Journalist
Religion	Evangelical Church in the Rhineland (Protestant)

Johannes Rau (January 16, 1931 – January 27, 2006) was the President of Germany from July 1, 1999 until June 30, 2004.

Political biography

Rau was a member of the All-German People's Party (GVP), which was founded by Gustav Heinemann.

In 1958 Rau was elected for the first time as member of the Landtag (state parliament) of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW).

In 1977 Rau became Chairman of the North Rhine-Westphalia SPD, and in 1978 Minister President of the state, were he remained until 1998, with four successful elections for the SPD, which became strongest party in the Landtag each time and gained an absolute majority three times, in 1980, 1985, 1990 and finally 1995.

In 1987 Rau tried to become chancellor of Germany for the SPD, but his refusal to contemplate forming a coalition with the Green Party meant he could not win the elections against Helmut Kohl's Christian Democrats (CDU).

In 1998 Rau stepped down from his positions as SPD Chairman and Minister President, and on May 23, 1999, was elected Federal President by the Federal Assembly of Germany to succeed Roman Herzog (CDU).

In 2000 Rau was the first German head of state since the Holocaust to address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in German.

Motto and maxim

The maxim of Johannes Rau was "to reconcile, not divide".

Private life

Johannes Rau was known as a practising Christian (and sometimes titled Bruder Johannes, "Brother John", to ridicule his intense Christian position;

After leaving office, Rau lived with his family in the federal capital Berlin, however they also kept a house in Wuppertal.

Johannes Rau died on January 27, 2006 in Berlin.