Oskar Lafontaine ( ; born 16 September 1943) is a German politician who served in the government of Germany as Minister of Finance from 1998 to 1999. Previously he was Minister-President of the state of Saarland from 1985 to 1998, and he was also Chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 1995 to 1999.
Beginning in 2007, Lafontaine was co-chairman of The Left. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, he announced his resignation from federal political functions in January 2010, citing health reasons.
Read more about Oskar Lafontaine: Family and Education, Political Rise, Chancellor Candidacy and Assination Attempt, Political Comeback, Minister of Finance, Leaving The SPD/Formation of The Left Party, Criticism