Mourning for Michael Elster: dying of a political leader

Veröffentlicht:

Von:

Michael Elster, President of the DRK district association Rhein-Pfalz, died at the age of 66. A loss for regional politics.
Michael Elster, President of the DRK district association Rhein-Pfalz, died at the age of 66. A loss for regional politics. (Symbolbild/ANAG)

On Thursday, April 11, 2025, Michael Elster, President of the DRK district association Rhein-Palatinate, died at the age of 66. Elster, a prominent player in local politics, has been the president of the district association since 2017 and has been on the board since 2006. His sudden death is perceived as a great loss by the colleagues and comrades. Matthias Riedel, Managing Director of the DRK district association, expressed gratitude for Elsters significant contribution and described his loss as a severe blow for the entire association.

Michael Elster was not only a formative figure in his community, but also a well -known face in the district policy. District Administrator Clemens Körner, who described Elster as long -time companions, admitted that they rarely agreed in many matters. Elster was the first full -time first deputy at the district level and held responsibility for building, school and baths before he was voted off by the district council in 2013 due to irregularities.

political career and setbacks

Before he entered the board of the DRK district association, Elster was the first deputy in Limburgerhof from 1995 to 1999. In local politics, he was active as the CDU parliamentary group leader both in the district council and in the Council of the municipality of Limburgerhof. Limburgerhof's Mayor Andreas Poignée (CDU) praised Elster's passion and clear attitude in political questions. Manfred Gräf, deputy district chairman of the CDU, praised Elster as hardworking and idiosyncratic when realizing his goals.

In 2021, Elster was again elected as president during the 11th ordinary district assembly of the DRK district association in Waldsee. Reiner Gerbes (Römerberg) and Sabrina Hisgen (Neuhofen) were elected as his deputies, and Dr. Ulrich Hettenbach (mother city) took on the role of the treasurer. Elster's commitment was also particularly appreciated during the Covid 19 pandemic. In his acceptance speech, he praised the volunteers for their outstanding achievements during pandemic and the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley.

commitment of the DRK

The DRK district association Mobile vaccinated teams in old people's homes and facilities for people with disabilities under Elster's management. The test center in the DRK local association Neuhofen also enjoyed great demand. Mayor Patrick Fassott thanked the DRK district association for the cooperation during the pandemic, and Justitiar Stefan Wittenberger from the DRK state association emphasized the excellent work of the district association during the vaccination campaign. The DRK district association has been constantly committed to humanitarian aid and social services since its re-establishment in 1950, even though the framework conditions were changeable and often challenging.

Michael Elster leaves a heir that is characterized by both its successes and its controversy. His death marks a significant cut in the history of the DRK district association Rhein-Palatinate and local politics. The effects of his work and the traces he leaves are noticeable in both the population and within many organizations.

Details
Quellen