Franz Josef Strauss (German: Franz Josef Strauß, ; 6 September 1915 – 3 October 1988) was a German politician. He was the chairman of the Christian Social Union, member of the federal cabinet in different positions and long-time minister-president of the state of Bavaria.
During his political career Strauss was something of a divisive figure. As a younger man he served in several positions in the federal cabinet, and had some brushes with scandal during this time. After the 1969 federal elections, West Germany's conservative alliance found itself out of power for the first time since the founding of the Federal Republic. At this time, Strauss became more identified with the regional politics of Bavaria. While he ran for the chancellorship as the candidate of the CDU/CSU in 1980, for the rest of his life Strauss never again held federal office. From 1978 until his death in 1988, he was the head of the Bavarian government.
His last two decades were also marked by a fierce rivalry with CDU chairman Helmut Kohl.
Read more about Franz Josef Strauss: Early Years, Family, Political Life, Lockheed Bribery Scandals, Spiegel Scandal, Rivalry Between Kohl and Strauss, United States of Europe, Airbus, Final Decade of Life, Visit To Albania, Death, Legacy
Famous quotes containing the word strauss:
“Ah, there should be a young man, ein schone Junge carrying Blumen, a bouquet of roses. There should be cold Rhine wine and Strauss waltzes, and on the long way home kisses in the shadow of an archway, like a Cinderella.”
—Laurence Stallings (1894–1968)