Henning Scherf Explained

Henning Scherf
Office:President of the Senate and Mayor
of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
Term Start:4 July 1995
Term End:8 November 2005
Predecessor:Klaus Wedemeier
Successor:Jens Böhrnsen
Office1:Vice President of the Senate and Mayor
of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
Term Start1:18 September 1985
Term End1:11 December 1991
Predecessor1:Moritz Thape
Successor1:Claus Jäger
Embed:yes
Office2:Senator for Justice and the Constitution
Deputy3:Michael Göbel
Ulrich Mäurer
Term Start2:11 December 1991
Term End2:8 November 2005
Predecessor3:Volker Kröning
Successor3:Jens Böhrnsen
Office4:Senator for Education, Science and Arts
Deputy5:Reinhard Hoffmann
Term Start4:6 February 1990
Term End4:4 July 1995
Predecessor5:Horst Werner Franke
Successor5:Bringfriede Kahrs
Office6:Senator for Health
Status6:Interim
Deputy7:Friedrich Hennemann
Term Start6:31 January 1987
Term End6:26 January 1988
Predecessor7:Herbert Brückner
Successor7:Vera Rüdiger
Office8:Senator for Youth and Social Affairs
Deputy9:Hans-Christoph Hoppensack
Term Start8:7 November 1979
Term End8:6 February 1990
Predecessor9:Walter Franke
Successor9:Sabine Uhl
Office10:Senator for Finance
Deputy11:Günter Stahl
Term Start10:27 September 1978
Term End10:7 November 1979
Predecessor11:Hans Stefan Seifriz (interim)
Successor11:Moritz Thape
Birth Date:1938 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Bremen, Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Nazi Germany (now Germany)
Spouse:Luise Scherf
Children:3
Party:Social Democratic Party (1963–)
Alma Mater:University of Freiburg
Free University of Berlin

Henning Scherf (born 31 October 1938) is a German lawyer and politician of the SPD party who served as President of the Senate and Mayor of Bremen[1] [2] from 4 July 1995 to 8 November 2005.

Education

Scherf was born in Bremen. After studying law and social sciences from 1958 until 1962 in Berlin, Hamburg and Freiburg he worked for a Protestant students association (Evangelisches Studentenwerk) until 1964. In 1968 he received his law doctorate from University of Hamburg.

Political career

Scherf has been a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany since 1963.

Scherf went into politics after practicing as a lawyer in Bremen, and was elected to the Bremer Bürgerschaft (parliament) in 1971. From 1978 until 2005 he was a member of Bremen Senate (government) in various functions, including Senator for Finances, Senator for Youth and Social Issues, Senator for Health and Sport, Mayor, Senator for Education and Sciences and Senator of Law and Constitution. In 1995 Scherf was elected President of the Senate and Mayor of Bremen.

He was also the head of the "Vermittlungsausschuss" (negotiations-committee) which resolves conflicts concerning legislation between "Bundesrat" and "Bundestag", the two houses of the German parliament at the federal level.

Scherf has been re-elected twice due to his popularity in Bremen. He is well known for his warm and friendly character despite his looks (he is 2 m tall). His diplomatic skills, especially in forging compromises and running negotiations, are considered legendary, not only by members of his own party.

For some time Scherf was urged by the people to run for the German Presidency (Bundespräsident) which he declined because of family reasons.

Other activities

Personal life

Henning Scherf married his wife Luise in 1960. The couple has three children and nine grandchildren.[5]

He is well known for going to work by bicycle and refusing to accept a car and a driver provided by the city. He also has the habit of only drinking warm water with his meals.

Notes and References

  1. News: Ruling German Party Scores Unexpected Victory. 2 February 2011. New York Times. 26 May 2003.
  2. Book: James, Peter. Elections and electoral systems in Germany. 2004. Ashgate. Burlington, Vermont. 978-0-7546-1740-2. 2 February 2011. 97.
  3. http://www.demogr.mpg.de/en/institute/organization_1898/board_of_trustees_1991/default.htm Board of Trustees
  4. https://www.spd.de/partei/organisation/preise/ Board of Trustees
  5. Web site: Nicolai . Birger . Henning Scherf: "Heute können viele mit 60 Jahren Bäume ausreißen" . DIE WELT . 7 September 2015 . de . 28 July 2021.