Gregor Gysi: A look at the life of the political veteran

Gregor Gysi: A look at the life of the political veteran

On June 11, 2025, it was announced on the European University Viadrina website that Dr. Gregor Gysi, the longest-serving member of the German Bundestag, will speak on June 26th at 7 p.m. in the university's loge hall. The event is led by Prof. Dr. Benjamin Lahusen, the dean of the law faculty, organizes and deals with East German (legal) history as well as Gysi's diverse work as a lawyer in the GDR and the associated disruptions in the post-reunification period.

Gysi, born on January 16, 1948 in Berlin, is a defining figure in German politics. He studied law at the Humboldt University in Berlin and graduated with a degree in law in 1970. A subsequent internship and doctorate in 1976 with a thesis on socialist law consolidated his legal expertise. He has been working as a lawyer since 1971 and was one of the few freelance lawyers in the GDR who defended critics of the system. His political career includes numerous important offices and functions from 1989 to the present.

Political career and key moments

Gysi joined the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) in 1967 and became a central figure in the PDS, the successor party to the SED. After reunification, he took over the chairmanship of the SED for a short time and was then elected chairman of the PDS. As a member of the People's Chamber, he was committed to the interests of the East German population and was significantly involved in the development of a new political culture in Germany. On October 3, 1990, Gysi became a member of the German Bundestag.

However, his political career was not without controversy. Gysi was affected by allegations of collaboration with the Stasi, which to date have not been legally proven. He was also observed by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution between 2012 and 2014. Despite these challenges, he remained a voice of left-wing politics and was a vocal advocate for social justice and diplomatic foreign policy.

Return to federal politics

After a short political break in the early 2000s, when he worked as an economics senator in Berlin, Gysi returned to the Bundestag in 2005 as parliamentary group leader of the Left Party. Under his leadership, the left-wing faction gained in following and importance. From 2015 to 2023 he was the parliamentary group's foreign policy spokesman and took a critical stance towards international sanctions, particularly against Russia and China.

In his future appearance at Viadrina, Gysi will not only bring in his expertise as a lawyer, but also his experiences and insights from a time of political change that had a lasting impact on Germany. The event is open to those interested and registration is not required, which underlines the accessibility of Gysi's deep insights into East German legal history and politics.

All in all, Gregor Gysi presents himself as a significant figure in German politics, whose journeys through the ups and downs of the political landscape will serve as an inspiration and lesson to many. He has three children from two marriages and today, despite health challenges in the past, he continues to be an active voice in the German Bundestag.

For more information about Gysi's CV and political activities, see Bundestag and Wikipedia.