Otto Graf Lambsdorff, a prominent and controversial figure in West German politics, has died aged 82. Although retired for years, his voice continued to carry weight in German politics. Otto Graf Lambsdorff, once one of Germany's most influential politicians, has died aged 82 in a clinic in Bonn, sources in his pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) said Sunday. The exact cause of death was unclear, but Lambsdorff was reportedly suffering from various ailments. Lambsdorff was honorary chairman of the FDP, which currently is junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right governing coalition.
Otto Graf Lambsdorff, once one of Germany's most influential politicians, has died aged 82 in a clinic in Bonn, sources in his pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) said Sunday.
The exact cause of death was unclear, but Lambsdorff was reportedly suffering from various ailments.
Lambsdorff was honorary chairman of the FDP, which currently is junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right governing coalition.
His tenure as economics minister in two governments of different political complexions was only brought to an end when he was charged with taking bribes for his Liberal party (FDP) from the giant Flick industrial concern in return for tax breaks. He was fined for committing tax fraud on behalf of the FDP.
This is the only obit I've found yet that mentions this inconvenient little truth. The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
ncidentally, last week, the coffin turned up in Budapest and the perpetrators were arrested: an international group hired by a Budapest lawyer who asked for a ransom for the remains. (Part of the €6 million ransom was paid, but the family told police and hired two groups of private detectives, one of which was faster than police.) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
