Thomas Oppermann

Thomas Ludwig Albert Oppermann (27 April 195425 October 2020) was a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). From October 2017 until his death he served as Vice President of the Bundestag. In his earlier career, he served as First Secretary (2007–2013) and later as chairman (2013–2017) of the SPD Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag. Oppermann belonged to the right wing of the SPD, known as Seeheimer Kreis. Life and career Oppermann was born in Freckenhorst on 27 April 1954. He received his abitur from the Goetheschule in Einbeck. Afterwards, he studied German studies and English studies at the University of Tübingen. From 1976 to 1978, he worked at Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) in the United States. After his return to Germany, he went to law school at University of Göttingen, finishing in 1986. From 1986 until 1990, Oppermann served as an administrative court judge in Hanover and later in Braunschweig. During 1988 to 1989, he was seconded to serve as the chief legal affairs officer for the city of Hann. Münden. Oppermann had three daughters and one son.