| − | '''Helmut Kohl''' (April 3, 1930–June 16, 2017) was the [[chancellor]] of the [[Federal Republic of Germany]], who united [[East Germany|East]] and West Germany into one [[Germany]] in 1990 after the [[Berlin Wall]] was torn down. He held office from 1982 until 1998 when [[Gerhard Schröder]] of the German [[SPD|social-democratic party]] was elected chancellor. Kohl is a member of the [[Christian Democratic Union]]. He was raised in a Roman Catholic family.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/321076/Helmut-Kohl</ref> Kohl is widely considered the "father of German unity" and turned Germany back to [[Christian]] principles in his "geistig moralische Wende" (spiritual and moral turn) that he announced upon taking over from [[Helmut Schmidt]] in 1982. Liberals and Leftists often deride him for his plainspoken manner and his love of his country and home, including Palatinate cuisine, which he famously served guests, including [[Ronald Reagan]]. They, of course, forget, that Kohl is yet one more example of the [[best of the public]] rising to leading a country to a better, more moral future. Kohl died on June 16, 2017.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/16/helmut-kohl-chancellor-who-reunited-germany-dies-at-87.html Helmut Kohl, chancellor who reunited Germany, dies at 87]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). June 16, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.</ref> | + | '''Helmut Kohl''' (April 3, 1930–June 16, 2017) was the [[chancellor]] of the [[Federal Republic of Germany]], who united [[East Germany|East]] and West Germany into one [[Germany]] in 1990 after the [[Berlin Wall]] was torn down. He held office from 1982 until 1998 when [[Gerhard Schröder]] of the German [[SPD|social-democratic party]] was elected chancellor. Kohl is a member of the [[Christian Democratic Union]]. He was raised in a Roman Catholic family.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/321076/Helmut-Kohl</ref> Kohl is widely considered the "father of German unity" and turned Germany back to [[Christian]] principles in his "geistig moralische Wende" (spiritual and moral turn) that he announced upon taking over from [[Helmut Schmidt]] in 1982. Liberals and Leftists often deride him for his plainspoken manner and his love of his country and home, including Palatinate cuisine, which he famously served guests, including [[Ronald Reagan]]. They, of course, forget, that Kohl is yet one more example of the [[best of the public]] rising to leading a country to a better, more moral future. Kohl died on June 16, 2017.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/16/helmut-kohl-chancellor-who-reunited-germany-dies-at-87.html Helmut Kohl, chancellor who reunited Germany, dies at 87]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). June 16, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.</ref> |