Norbert Blüm

Norbert Blüm
Norbert Blüm in 1988
Federal Minister for Social Affairs and Labour
In office 4 October 1982 – 27 October 1998
Preceded by	Heinz Westphal
Succeeded by	Walter Riester
Personal details
Born	(1935-07-21) 21 July 1935 Rüsselsheim, People's State of Hesse, Nazi Germany
Nationality	German
Political party	CDU
Relations	Marita Blüm
Residence	Bonn
Alma mater	University of Bonn

Norbert Blüm (left) with Richard von Weizsäcker in 1978

Norbert Blüm in 1986

Norbert Blüm (born 21 July 1935) was a German politician who was a federal legislator from North Rhine-Westphalia, Chairman of the CDU there (1987–1999), and a minister for labor and social affairs—the only cabinet member who was all the 16 years of Kohl as Chancellor in his government.

Early life and education

Born in Rüsselsheim, Blüm trained as a toolmaker at Opel in the town. During this time he was a founding member of the local Scout Group within the Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg. Later he studied German language and literature, history and philosophy.

Political positions

During his time in office, Blüm pushed back against demands made by fellow Christian Democratic Union politicians to raise the mandatory retirement age to 70 from 65. His most known quotation "Die Rente ist sicher" (loosely translated into: "Pensions are secure") is a misquotation. It was a slogan he wielded in 1986 ("Eins ist sicher: Die Rente", "one thing is certain: The pension"). The misquotation became an infamous saying in Germany and has been target of Kabarett and hostile remarks for years. After almost 3 decades, Blüm even took part in it by talking about his infamous quotation in the German TV show Neues aus der Anstalt.

Especially during his political career, Blüm has been an outspoken critic of the agenda and conduct of Scientology. As a consequence, he has been a target of Scientology advocates who claimed that the organization was a victim of religious discrimination in Germany.

Other activities

• Hans Böckler Prize of the City of Cologne, Member of the Advisory Board
• Green Helmets, Member of the Board of Trustees
• Bonn Minster, Member of the Board of Trustees
• St. Maria zur Wiese, Member of the Board of Trustees
• IG Metall, Member

Recognition (selection)

• 2000 – Münchhausen Prize
• 2001 – Leipzig Human Rights Award
• 2005 – Leopold Kunschak Prize

External links

• Norbert Blüm in German Wikipedia
• Norbert Blüm's article on the founding of the Scout Group "Partner Erde" in Rüsselsheim (German) at the Wayback Machine (archived October 9, 2007)
• The 2001 Leipzig Human Rights Award, video coverage of the event at Xenu TV, June 9, 2001