2024-08-03 15:59:41
He returned to the state parliament after a serious illness. Now Thomas Hartung has died at the age of 53.
Thomas Hartung is dead. The Thuringian state parliament member died at the age of 53 after a serious bout of cancer. The education and culture politician from the SPD parliamentary group returned to the state parliament in early summer after his illness and took part in votes on issues such as improving kindergarten care in one of the last plenary sessions before the state election.
Many of his colleagues expressed their grief on social media. The Prime Minister of Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow (Left Party), wrote on X: “It is sad news. Thomas Hartung was so full of courage to live, bravely fought cancer and undertook all the treatments with a lot of strength. Dear Thomas, I admired you very much for that and kept my fingers crossed for you.”
SPD leader Gregor Maier spoke of shocking news. “Thomas Hartung was a passionate politician with attitude. He was a fighter for democracy and social justice – a social democrat with heart and soul. Despite his serious illness, he fought with all his strength for Thuringia. His loss is incredibly painful. My thoughts are with his family at this time,” said Maier. Deputy parliamentary group leader Lutz Liebscher expressed similar views, highlighting Hartung’s role as a bridge builder in political compromises.
Hartung was born on September 5, 1970 in Weimar. He studied medicine in Jena and worked as a doctor. From 2009 to 2014 and from 2017 to now, he was a member of the Thuringian state parliament.