Leading German political figure to visit

Kurt Biedenkopf, governor of Saxony in eastern Germany, and a leading voice in the Christian Democratic Party, will visit April 25-26.

Biedenkopf will give a free public lecture, “The United States and Europe: The Changing Dynamics of Transatlantic Relations,” Thursday, April 26, 2 p.m., 4151 Grainger Hall, 975 University Ave.

Biedenkopf is one of Germany’s most popular conservative politicians. “He is seen as a key figure within Germany and across Europe,” says Crister Garrett, director of the International Institute’s European Studies Alliance. “Saxony is a central axis through which much of Europe’s debate on unification runs, whether culturally, politically or economically.”

Biedenkopf has been Saxony governor since 1990. Among other positions, he has served as CDU secretary general (1973-77) and CDU vice president (1977-83). From 1976 to 1980 and again from 1987 to 1990, Biedenkopf was a member of the federal parliament or Bundestag.

For more information, contact Lisa Rainwater van Suntum, European Studies Alliance, (608) 608-265-4766, info@europeanstudiesalliance.org